Risk of studying abroad Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

Risk of studying abroad - Essay Example The world is rapidly changing and tending more towards independence, therefore, understanding the culture, language, perspective, needs, and concerns of people from outside one’s own country helps students to cope better with the rapidly changing and complex world. This priceless experience cannot be achieved by simple tourist excursions to foreign countries. The study abroad experience allows students to be fully immersed into the culture of people within a foreign country. Keywords: Study Abroad, Culture, Foreign Countries, Students, Introduction There are a number of factors that contribute to the surge of study abroad among students in the world over. First and foremost is the increased ease of travel from one point in the world to another (Bryam & Feng, 2006). Travel is a pleasant and common past time among many university students. For many students living in developed countries, and especially those from affluent backgrounds, study abroad is an extension of this love fo r travel, and the desire to experience life in different cultures and different parts of the world. Study abroad is on an upward trend due to political shifts taking place in many parts of the world. In countries such as the U.K., the government encourages local universities to take up students from other nations across the globe (Bryam & Feng, 2006). Along with this, governments within political unions, such as the European Union (EU), encourage students from their countries to pursue studies in other EU member states (Bryam & Feng, 2006). Economic prospects also influence the decision to study abroad. For students from developing countries of Africa and Asia, study abroad bears the promise of a better career and employment prospects, due to the status associated with studying abroad (Bryam & Feng, 2006). It also provides them with an opportunity to attend some of the world’s best institutions, like the Ivy League institutions, as well as receiving a matching quality of educ ation. Increased cultural interaction also encourages study abroad. This is due to the fact that it improves the cross-cultural intelligence of an individual, promotes international relations among different countries, and adds an extra aspect to the learners’ educational encounter (Bryam & Feng, 2006). Risk Associated with Studying Abroad Like with any experience that requires one to move away from their comfort zone, as well as daily life routine and culture, there are risks associated with study abroad. In this paper, the risks associated with it are broadly categorized into psychological, financial, legal, and educational risks. Psychological risks These are risks that related to the social and emotional wellbeing of students that result from the overall experience of being in a new culture and different environment. According to Butzer, being in a new country is akin to being in a new environment. This in turn means that students have to adapt afresh to new cultures, foo ds, customs and acceptable social norms, as well as new illnesses and health risks (2013). These challenges pose the ultimate risk of culture shock associated with being in a new