Argument

“Arguments against Study abroad”

 By Maggie Cleary  June 8, 2012

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Studying abroad is a new phenomena that people have embraced. So why should college students shy away from this trend?

1. You probably will not get a better education overseas.

Even though it’s easy to take them for granted, American universities are pretty phenomenal. People come from all over the world to go to school in the United States. And, contrary to what many seem to believe, college is school. At the end of the day, universities are meant to provide you with the best scholarly education — and you wont find anyplace better than the good old US of A.

2. It’s expensive.

Sure, universities in the U.S. cost a lot of money — room, board, meals and whatnot. Although universities abroad don’t charge nearly as much tuition as American schools, most universities still force students to pay regular tuition for a semester in addition to paying for long flights and expensive city life in the respective abroad city.

3. You can step out of your comfort zone in your college town.

One of the biggest reasons students cite for going abroad is “stepping out of his/her comfort zone.” But it seems that they neglect that its completely possible (and perhaps more challenging) to step out of their culture zone while in college. Evidently, when you travel, you experience new cultures and new people — but most of the time new cultures and experiences are just a dorm room away. In fact, it may be more challenging to seek out new cultures and experiences within your university life — finding new campus organizations, nearby hang out spots and communities. Once you settle into your own college bubble, it’s hard to make new friends. But you don’t have to go away to do it.

4. Now is not the only time in your life you can travel or live abroad.

Most often times, students will cite study abroad as a once in a lifetime opportunity — the only time in their existence they can live abroad. This is certainly not the case. Nothing is stopping you from applying for a position overseas after graduation, joining the Peace Corps or volunteering for an international organization during a summer. Plus, who knows where your life will take you? Its naïve to assume you’ll never be able to live abroad again. You make your own decisions — you could make it happen.

5. You miss out.

Even though you may be having a great time in (insert European city here), you only get four years at college. Students will try to stay in touch, but it’s hard. Back in College World, life goes on without you. Clubs elect new leaders, friends figure out housing situations for the following year, people date and break up — and you watch (some of) it happen over Skype. And before you know it, you’re walking across a stage towards a diploma having missed five months worth of college stories you’ll never get back. By that point you may realize that short time in London probably wasn’t worth it. 

My Argument against the main points

1. You probably will not get a better education overseas.

            This may or may not be true. There are some universities that focus on a specific major, and some of the classes you might take while abroad they might not offer that in your hometown university. For example Bangor University was the school I attended and it was ranked one of the top schools for psychology. I got to take classes like “psychology involving animals” and “phycology neurons that affect stress”. Those classes weren’t offered at my University so it helped with furthering and learning more about my major. So you will never get the chance to take those other classes that your University might not have if you never give studying abroad a chance.

2. It’s expensive.

            Yes, studying abroad could be expensive. But there is always financial aid and scholarships that can help you with the cost of studying abroad. For example I received 3 scholarships that covered most of the cost and there wasn’t a lot I had to pay out of my own pocket. Never let cost be the reason that you don’t study abroad, because you might be missing out on an incredible adventure. Look for those scholarships online, or ask your study abroad advisor for resources that could help you pay for the cost. Fundraising is always an option as well. To help you with the cost I would recommend having a budget, which always helps with managing your expenses.

3. You can step out of your comfort zone in your college town.

            You will always the opportunity to step out of your comfort zone wherever you are. But doing that in another country is just simply amazing. How cool is it to say you did community service while studying abroad, or the fact that you will meet so many different people on your adventure. Study abroad will help you develop the skills that make you independent. For example you will become quicker on your feet and you will learn to trust your own gut. Giving yourself the gift of traveling the world and getting your self out of that comfort zone is going to be one of the greatest things that could happen to you. So give it the chance.

4. Now is not the only time in your life you can travel or live abroad.

            I think this is the perfect time to travel and go abroad. Later your life stars to get busy. Because you might be going to grad school or you may have to get a real job to help pay for the expenses that you had in college. You get to go abroad at a young age where you don’t have to worry to much about the life back home and there wont be big consequences. You could travel abroad later in life but there’s no time like the present.

5. You miss out.

            You will be missing out if you don’t study abroad. People that didn’t study abroad in college wish they had studied abroad. Because studying abroad gives you experiences that you cant get at home. Life will be the same when you come back from studying abroad, little things will change but nothing major. Your family, friends, and the city will be there when you get back, so don’t let that be the reason why you don’t go abroad.

Work Cited:
Cleary, Maggie. "5 Reasons College Students Should Not Study Abroad." Mic. N.p., 08 June 2012. Web. 08 Dec. 2014.
"Study Abroad." U.S. News & World Report: News, Rankings and Analysis on Politics, Education, Healthcare and More. N.p., n.d. Web. 07 Dec. 2014.

"Study Abroad Programs in Wales." Study in Wales. N.p., n.d. Web. 08 Dec. 2014.