To study abroad at a university in a place full of strangers and with a completely different environment, culture and customs can be overwhelming. But if the institution you get admitted to is a worthy one, the people around you friendly and welcoming, and the culture warm and accepting, then the experience can become one of life’s most fulfilling ones and this challenge can be turned into an opportunity. To study overseas is therefore a challenge which can be turned into a life changing opportunity through hard work, force of will, confidence and a little help from us.
They say ‘well begun is half done’. So let us talk about the challenges first.
• A Different Culture
One of the biggest challenges that a student faces upon reaching their place of study in a foreign country is the cultural shock. The country they arrive in has a different language, a different set of customs and different cultural traits. While writing a foreign language and reading it for the sake of academics seems pretty easy, having to converse and carry out your everyday activities in a language other than your mother tongue can become frustrating and difficult. And while language may be the biggest cultural factor presenting a challenge to a new student, other cultural factors may become a barrier too. But with time, these challenges are overcome as you become used to the place.
• Feeling like an Outsider
Arriving at a completely new place also presents the challenge of not knowing anyone. While consultancy services and the university and college officials will help you in this by, for example, including you in social clubs and connecting you with college fraternities, sometimes a feeling of being an outsider will storm you. But this is also a challenge that you can overcome after you have spent some time in your place of study, as there are others like you who are looking to connect with people. A shared group therefore comes to befriend each other, and your social circle will soon be brimming with friends.
• Different Educational Setup
This is also a big challenge when it comes to arriving in a foreign country. We are brought up in a particular educational set up in which we are used to understanding different aspects of academics like how grades work, how and when the exams are conducted etc. But to get adjusted to a different educations setup also takes some time.
• Challenges with Currency
This one is actually more manageable than the others, as there are a number of services offered both by the governments of the new country and by the university authorities to exchange currency and also for money transfers back home.
Now that we have talked about the challenges, let us talk a bit about the opportunities that will become available to you after studying abroad.
• Excellent Education
This is one of the most and lucrative opportunities that studying abroad affords you. You get to learn from the some of the best professionals and teachers in the world as well as get a chance to get exposed to some of the best and the most industry oriented courses in the world.
• Explore the World
An important part of studying abroad is that you get to explore a new culture and get to see new places. Think about it, how many of us can say that we can speak German, French or Spanish, or how many of us can say that we know the salsa or the samba? These experiences come from studying abroad and exploring a new place.
• Expand your Network
Studying abroad helps you get in touch with people from all over the world, be it your classmates, your teachers or other contacts that you develop during the course of your stay in the country. All these help in expanding your network, and ultimately getting you in touch with the industry’s best and helping you in your career.
• Impress your Employers
Studying abroad will turn your resume into a powerful and impressive one, and what more do potential employers ask for? An education abroad will therefore make you an excellent candidate for whatever jobs you apply for!