What are the advantages and disadvantages of studying abroad

IELTS Writing Task 2 with sample answer.

You should spend about 40 minutes on this task.

In the past, when students did a university degree, they tended to study in their own country. Nowadays, they have more opportunity to study abroad. What are the advantages and disadvantages of this development?

You should use your own ideas, knowledge and experience and support arguments with example and relevant evidence.

Write at least 250 words.

Sample Answer:
Today, more and more students tend to go overseas for study compared to the past. Students enroll at foreign universities in order to have the edge over their competitors. However, the trend has both benefits and drawbacks.

To commence with, studying abroad has immense advantages. First of all, it will unveil a new horizon offering a new culture to the students who enroll at overseas universities. By studying abroad, the students get the opportunity to be acquainted with a foreign nation and culture, which by consequence broadens their perspectives. As a result, it will help them overcome racial or any other prejudice. Secondly, studying abroad can advance academic and career trajectory. That is to say, students get the chance to experience different styles of learning and researching methods that provide the students with the knowledge and skills required to excel in the ever-expanding global workplace. Last but not the least, studying abroad helps hone the students’ language skills quickly.

On the flip side, studying abroad has also some disadvantages. Sometimes, students find it difficult to cope with the new culture and surrounding. On the top of that, they feel sad and homesick which might hamper their academic performance. In addition to this, studying abroad is usually expensive. It ranges moderately expensive to very expensive. Furthermore, when international students are not allowed to engage in part-time job, it might become nightmare for them.

To conclude, every coin has two sides: opportunities and limitations. Studying abroad has both the advantages and disadvantages. So, students should mull over the benefits and drawbacks before leaving the homeland to study abroad.