The Opportunity Cost of Not Studying Abroad Is Substantial

In this globalization epoch, our systems are allowing students to enrich their ability to acquire and utilize knowledge from outside their countries. Numerous colleges and universities provide slots for international students to escalate their reputation, boost their revenues, and satisfy the needs of their local labor markets (QS Top Universities 1). Studying abroad either for a Bachelor’s or Master’s Degree is getting more popular among undergraduates. There has always been a pro and a contra circulating in society. Consideration of many aspects is necessarily assessed in detail. Nevertheless, before determining which university and what major to enter, the leading case is, is it truly worth the hype?

The world is evolving, and eventually, we need to adjust ourselves and secure a space in a strategic position. Living outside the home country obliges us to enhance adaptability to new surroundings, as we will be acquainted with cultural and background diversity. We get a chance to know them well and respect differences. Dealing with contradictory types of people will enlighten us to observe life from multiple perspectives as well as broaden our horizons. Students who studied abroad showed improvements in five core traits compared to their peers who did not study abroad: openness, conscientiousness, extraversion, agreeableness, and emotional stability (Neyer and Zimmermann 3). Additionally, people tend to share contrast interests. Through the convergence of friendships, we can discover ourselves and find out what hobbies and talents we never thought we were capable of doing. We can invest in comprehensive alliances to earn a worldwide connection in favor of our future career.

It is also undeniable that studying abroad provides some subsidiary benefits to students from developing countries. Overseas universities are often offering much better education quality with an international curriculum, which is commonly used by other top-notch universities. The condition also derives from the state’s wealth and prosperity level, which is something they cannot obtain from their local universities; extensive access to sources of study and outstanding facilities. By having a vast and well-kept library, the books provided come in a wider variety than those from frequently small, unintentional libraries in their homeland. Take the MIT, for example. They have Laboratory of Chocolate Science (McGann 1) and MIT Sustainable Energy Alliance, student clubs they definitely will not find locally. Alumni from universities abroad may also be superior. They claimed an increase in self-confidence (Study International Staff 1) and employability, as they are more likely to find jobs within six months (McMillan 1). Study abroad returnees also earn plenty of worthy international experience from internship programs and traveling. This simply helps them to achieve language fluency.

Notwithstanding the advantages, studying abroad may not be keenly priced for some social classes. Especially for students from developing countries, higher currency rates, and different living standards sometimes are obstacles. However, if they intend to seek scholarship or financial aid thoroughly from either targeted university or non-governmental foundation, expenses will not be a drawback.

Another downside of studying abroad could be the absence of a domestic network. The time spent overseas, building a global network of friends and colleagues, is time spent in losing out on a professional and personal network back home (MBA Crystal Ball 1). Returnees are missing the opportunity of assembling personal branding between local nexus of people. Even so, every decision always has its opportunity cost.

Studying abroad will give us abundant bonus points to compete in the professional world. At a young age, students are plain canvasses looking for unique colors. The colors probably come in the form of living in a cross-cultural community and a better education system. Rather than being focused on the loss of chances we may face, it suffices to recall that the opportunity cost of not studying abroad is always higher. Experience is the best teacher, and studying abroad is going to guarantee us at all costs. Hence, we must determine the best time for us to go; after high school or after a Bachelor’s Degree.