Many students choose to study abroad nowadays as they want to experience foreign cultures. In this essay, I would like to talk about the advantages and disadvantages in studying abroad.
The first advantage in studying abroad is that we can experience foreign cultures. Every country has its unique culture. For example, the Europeans are obliging and friendly, the Americans usually have a voracious appetite and the food sold in their restaurants is sizable and the Australians are cordial. Therefore, students studying abroad can be exposed to different cultures.
Another benefit of studying overseas is that we can brush up our English, especially our spoken English. We must speak English in daily life in foreign countries in order to communicate with the foreigners; hence we can hone our oral skills. Besides, we can learn native English without accent.
As seen from the above, there are obviously benefits of studying abroad. However, there are also some drawbacks.
The first disadvantage in studying abroad is that it is difficult for us to be assimilated into the new community. We might not get along well with the foreign neighbours or classmates because of our different cultures and languages. Some students want to make friends with people from different backgrounds but studying abroad might be counterproductive.
Another drawback of studying abroad is that we may be influenced by the culture there and may be led astray by some delinquent teenagers. For instance, we may take up the habit of drinking alcohol or get hooked on drugs. Without parents’ supervision, we will be easily affected by our friends and we may even join a gang and commit crimes.
In conclusion, there are both advantages and disadvantages in studying overseas. I think studying abroad after Secondary Three is the most suitable time as we are more mature at this age and capable of taking care of ourselves. I think you should consider if your parents can afford the cost of studying overseas and if it helps achieve your aspiration before you make your decision.