From discovering a new culture, exploring new places, making friends from all over the world, experiencing new courses and topics, and learning alternative teaching and learning methods, there are so many reasons why one chooses to become a foreign or international student. Going through the educational, social, travel, financial and even professional benefits of studying abroad. Here are the top 5 reasons why people study abroad:
1- See the world
The top common reason is to experience a brand-new country with incredible new outlooks, customs and activities. Most often, you may have never been to that country before, and even if you have, the perspective will most likely be different.
In addition to exploring your host country while studying abroad, you also can tour surrounding countries. For instance, if you study in Denmark, you can visit 25 more countries on weekends and outside term times because of your visa. And say you study in NZ like me, you can visit nearby islands easily. Moreover, obtaining a visa to Aussie will also be easier compared to if you applied from home.
Besides travelling, you’ll find that you better understand and appreciate other countries’ people, history, and culture. You will even see your background in a different light.
2- Education
This is the core of the whole experience. It presents you with the opportunity to experience different styles of education. Studying abroad means highly regarded education systems, operating updated equipment and software in your field, obtaining globally recognized degrees in the world’s highest-ranking universities.
People also notice a side of your course that you may not have been exposed to before. The choice of university is crucial, and if you completely immerse yourself in the nation’s education system, not only will you have a better grasp and appreciation for its history, culture and people, but you’ll witness an entirely new way of life.
Most students I have asked this question attest to this. Check out my post on Student Experiences.
3- Career opportunities
With cultural diversity becoming popular, employers continuously seek international experiences as it provides a whole new level of global and cultural understanding to their workforce. They now look for non-indigenous people to meetup the quota, thus fulfilling their diversity and inclusion obligations. So, gaining an international academic degree and experience gives you a better chance in such situations.
People also take up studies abroad for the opportunities and better value for their skills that may have been underrated in their home country. Lastly, the possibility of working while you study, which feeds your skillsets and work experience for the labour market or your career path and helps offset the financial cost. You could learn new kinds of jobs that you wouldn’t have known existed if you didn’t travel.
4- Emigration
There are many reasons one leaves one’s country to reside in another – better education opportunities, a chance to increase one’s employability or improve quality of life, find love or escape wars. So, one pathway is by studying abroad, although this visa is typically not meant for japa purposes. If you choose to settle in the country you immigrated to, then a local education will give you better chances when searching for jobs in that country.
Being a student in many countries gives you the chance of fitting into that society after your studies. Suppose you decide to settle in the country you migrated to. In that case, a local education will give you better chances when searching for a potential job in that country. There are, however, things you will need to consider for this to be a smooth sail. Learn more here.
Last but most important of the top 5 reasons for studying abroad is
5- Personal Development
The fundamental motivation in this category is self-discovery. The benefits to your personal development go beyond technical or other hard skills that can be measured. Many people hop on the study abroad train to improve those soft skills. These skills are often less defined but prove beneficial to dealings involving human beings, whether formal or casual.
You will get many chances to hone your language skills, experience life on your own terms, take in a new culture, develop your palate, make life-long friends with whom to explore new activities and interests.
Being in a foreign country and perhaps with no family can be overwhelming and test all your boundaries. But if you immerse yourself in this experience, you’ll definitely improve your interpersonal skills. You’ll notice that you will be more open-minded. Your critical thinking skills will improve; you’ll even become more independent and maybe overcome your fears.
I asked some friends about their experiences, and below are some of their responses.
Extraordinary
Terrell Thompson
Auckland, New Zealand
Interesting
Emmanuel Mbah
Montreal, Canada
Fabulous
Rosè
Montreal, Canada
Exciting
Linh Ngo
Auckland, New Zealand
Unpredictable
Lamis Javid
Auckland, New Zealand
Life-changing
Esther Asamudo
Dunedin, New Zealand
Visit the student experience section to read stories shared from people who have studied abroad. You may learn a trick or two.
