Deciding on studying abroad or staying in your home country for higher education can have a serious impact — academically, if not personally and professionally. Each has its own benefits and drawbacks, so which one you choose will depend on a number of factors like your professional goals, price range and personal preferences.
We discuss the following key components to empower students with enough knowledge, allowing them more information that will guide towards weighing their interest on studying abroad or in your own homeland as this would be a decision of paramount importance : Educational quality Cultural experiences Expenses (includes everything from food and accommodation) Future Prospects
Quality of Education
When making a decision between studying abroad and staying at home, the quality of education usually comes first.
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Studying Abroad:
- Pro: In the case of study abroad, many students seek to go aboard for educational purposes as few countries provide standards in education especially those are pursuing areas like engineering, business or medicine. Going to a famous university — can mean your research is cutting edge and you have access to the best facilities in the world (e.g. Harvard or Cambridge)
- Con: Unfortunately, the reputations of universities outside your home country are not always much better than those you can find locally. The learning experience might also be impacted by cultural and language barriers. Furthermore, a few education systems in a country might be more theoretical rather than practical approach which may not suit you.
Studying at Home
- Pro: By studying in your own country you get an education that aligns with the local job market and make it easier to transition into a career. Chances are, you will have experienced the academic expectations, teaching styles and testing methods in your own country. At the same time, higher education institutions in many countries are being reformed and new places for training have emerged.
- Con: Some students believe that their country does not have access to the latest research, facilities or world-views and this causes them a disadvantage on some fields when it comes to studying.
Cultural Exposure
One of the best things about studying abroad is that you have a chance to learn another culture. But it has its own pros and cons to study your cultural exposure taking place aboard or in home county.
Studying Abroad:
- Pro: Many students who decide to study abroad point out that studying in a different country provides them with an eclectic cultural experience not feasible on another ground. You are living in a new country, surrounded by people from different cultures and lifestyles. It can introduce you to a wide array of cultures, expand your global horizons and culturally train your verbal dexterity, as well helping develop network in the world which means way before twenty years ago.
- Con: However, transitioning to a new culture may also be challenging as language barriers and differences in lifestyle or social norms creates confusion. Most international students do before they head to their university have already psychologically prepared for inevitable culture shock, homesickness and loneliness.
Studying at Home:
- Pro: By staying at home you stay in your comfort zone of the same language, social norms and cultural expectations as it pertains to everyday life. You are less likely to experience the emotional hardship of culture shock, and staying in touch with loved ones at home is also more possible.
- Con: Unfortunately, this comfort zone can potentially stunt your personal growth and hinder the amount of cultural experience you take with you for communication skill sets, adaptability increased exposure to a global setting.
Cost
One of the most important differences is that studying at home costs a lot less than to do it abroad. As exciting as studying abroad might be, there is no denying that it comes with a hefty bill.
Studying Abroad:
- Pro: Scholarships, Grants and Financial Aid Options Scholars can help finance part or all of their study abroad expenses through scholarships. Some countries may have lower tuition fees to what you pay in your country, especially European ones where education is heavily subsidized. Moreover, studying abroad could be considered as a future investment if it resulted in better employment and an increase of income.
- Con: Most people think of the negative aspects when studying abroad because it can be expensive in all areas (tuition, plane ticket there and back, housing for a year or more if not indefinitely). Tuition fees = in some countries, the total costs are much lower compared to your home country The problem — not all students obtain financial aid or scholarships. In addition, students need to factor in the variation of exchange rates which can be precarious with budgeting!
Studying at Home:
- Pro: It’s way less expensive to study in your own country. This can allow you to maximize your overall return since tuition rates are often the same and housing/commuting expenses of “living-at-home” or finding a local low cost apartment pales in comparison to paying out-of-state for 2-4 years. You also may be eligible for in-state scholarships, grants or government aid programs that are less competitive to qualify.
- Con: A lack of internships or networking opportunities abroad, meaning that although studying at home is cheaper—a good thing—students may be missing out on those international campus career-building network building benefits.
Career Opportunities
Where you study, and how higher learning institutions fare on career prospects and long-term employability are the most critical things when opting your place to go. This has been discussed further in this CA World vol 13 → READ MORE
Studying Abroad:
- Pro: Having a degree from a top university abroad looks good on your resume and will give you an edge int he job market. International students are also given opportunity to work with global companies and internships which can increase their employability. It allows obtaining working rights and international students are eligible to work after completion of studies which in turn, adds on to the student’s career opportunities.
- Con: Unfortunately, the employment landscape for international students is fairly competitive and obtaining a work visa or permanent residency can be tricky. And in some cases the qualifications you achieve while overseas are not recognized back home thus making it difficult to gain employment if ever come home.
Studying at Home:
- Pro: On the positive side: Studying in your home country can lead to a degree that is accredited and valuable for local employment. Also, it is relatively easier to network with the local employers and intern in job programs that are specific to your same industry when you study locally.
- Con: Staying in your own home country might make it challenging for you to ever apply with global organizations, so there is a lower potential when compared to if you relocate completely. You may also not get an opportunity to build the global networks and international experience that many employers are wanting in new graduates.
Personal Growth
And lastly, another determining factor whether you should study abroad or stay at home is personal development.
Studying Abroad:
- Pro: A study abroad opportunity has the advantage to enrich your personal growth far more than if you were at home. This teaches you to be more self-sufficient, and it makes you stronger in terms of strength as a person when everything around is normal. You will also be able to cultivate a global mindset and the ability to interact with individuals across countries, both of which are skills that carry significant potential in our hyper connected world.
- Con: However, the adjustment process of a new country can be too much for some students to bear and they may experience stress, anxiety, or home-sickenss. The reality is that it can be difficult to build a support network in an unfamiliar country, and these emotional hardships may make studying abroad harder on some students than you might imagin.
Studying at Home:
- Pro: If you stay in your home country, it will keep a scaffolding of friends and family around to make sure that everything falls into place during the academic journey. You do not have to deal with all the emotional pitfalls that come from adapting into another culture and you can better concentrate on your studies without additional cultural attributes.
- Con: On the other hand, living at home doesn’t have that same developing aspect of being on your own. You will lose a chance to double your challenge, new experiences in learning and living overseas from different perspectives of liver as an alien species.
Choosing whether or not to study abroad is really a personal decision and ultimately comes down to what your academic goals are, where you want those set of courses coming from (home country or abroad), considering financial standing and future career prospects as well as the likelihood of success in that course. Attending a university overseas available several possibilities like cultural exposure, global networks and even increased career prospects. However, it also presents certain challenges — the high cost of living in these countries, cultural adaptation and visa limitations.
On the other hand, learning in a home country offers stability and cheaper cost of living but restricts your chance to explore and grow globally. In the end, what you prioritize in your education and life is going to determine which works best for you.