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Studying Overseas: Pros and Cons |
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Studying overseas used to be a luxury for most students in the past. Only the
brightest scholarship holders and the wealthy could afford it. However,
nowadays, more students are going overseas to study. Higher education is seen as
essential for securing a good job, and parents are willing to use their
hard-earned money to give their children an overseas education, especially if
they did not make it into local universities.
Many students who are fortunate enough to study overseas head to western
countries such as the United States, Britain, Australia, and New Zealand, which
have established institutions of learning. Graduating from these universities
usually means an advantage over local counterparts who have not studied
overseas, as some employers view an overseas education favorably.
One advantage of studying overseas is the less regimented study culture in many
institutions. Unlike Asian countries that assess students heavily on grades
obtained from examinations and tests, western institutions encourage team and
project work, creativity, and open discussion. Teachers are seen more as
collaborators of learning rather than authority figures and transmitters of
knowledge, allowing Asian students to have more freedom in airing their views.
Another advantage is the sense of independence that studying overseas brings.
Students must learn to rely on themselves for their daily household needs,
meals, and budgeting. They must be responsible for their own time and prioritize
their activities, which can help them learn to be more efficient in their
studies.
However, studying overseas also has its disadvantages. It involves considerable
expenses, and some families may have to scrimp and save to finance their loved
one's education. Additionally, some students may find it difficult to adapt to
living in a foreign country and being torn away from their network of family,
relatives, and friends. Loneliness and stress to perform well in studies can
lead to developmental disorders.
Moreover, some students may miss the moral guidance of their parents and
friends, and they may mix with the wrong crowd. There have been cases of
students partying, taking drugs, neglecting their studies, and exceeding their
budgets. Some students may also engage in dubious moral practices, especially in
the more liberal climate of Western campuses.
In conclusion, studying overseas has its pros and cons. It can offer students
more freedom and a less regimented study culture, but it can also be expensive
and challenging. Ultimately, whether students benefit from their overseas
studies depends on their characters and how they use their newfound
independence. |
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