Less commonly discussed reasons for pursuing education abroad
As a proponent of studying abroad, I’ve noticed that people tend to repeat the same well-known reasons for pursuing education abroad, such as obtaining a diploma from a prestigious university and its value in the eyes of future employers, gaining international work experience, achieving fluency in a foreign language, or learning about the world and other cultures. These are perfectly understandable reasons. Speaking from my own experience, however, there are other less commonly discussed motives that you may find equally important when considering whether the path of pursuing higher education abroad is the right choice for you.
Maastricht University, Netherlands
Developing your professional and academic interests
This is the one Im bringing up first deliberately. It might be the case that you want to specialize in a field where there are few or no opportunities for growth in your home country. I decided to study European Public Health at Maastricht University, the only place that offered such a program at that time, since I was interested in learning about health policies on an international scale. Wanting to develop in disciplines you are passionate about and learning from the few who study them (as will likely be the case if you choose less common or emerging disciplines) gives you a unique opportunity to shape your career in an exciting and unconventional way.
Experiencing different approaches to teaching and learning
The ratio of theoretical to practical training varies greatly between countries and schools. If you’re used to a system where seminars do not differ much from lectures and lectures are based on takina notes on what the teacher says, you might be interested in exploring a different system where teaching and learning are very different. At Maastricht University in the Netherlands, for example, classes are taught using the problem-based learning method (PBL), in which students have a say in what they want to learn about within a particular subject and are encouraged to discuss what they have learned with the rest of the class. At McMaster University in Canada, where I spent a semester studying abroad, class participation and engagement were part of my final grade. Such teaching and learning methods allow you to expand your abilities, truly understand the subjects being studied, and stay engaged along the way.
Creating more opportunities for yourself by taking advantage of the optional experiences that study programs offer
To finish your program, you will most likely be expected to complete a practicum and a thesis. Even a short placement while studying abroad might be extremely beneficial. Besides that, chances are that your institution abroad will provider you with further opportunities to develop your experience in a new country, possibly for an entire semester. During my studies in the Netherlands, I spent a semester in Canada and a three-month practicum in India conductting my thesis research. None of these experiences would have been possible if my university had not provided them for me and my classmates. You can also take part in on-site extracurricular activities on-site or those that come with membership in various associations. Before enrolling, we typically don’t have a clear picture of such prospects. That is why it is critical to get interested in them ahead of time, as they give you a great chance to fully customize and make the most of your student experience.
Learning more about yourself
This has to make it to the list. Studying abroad is a great way to become more responsible and self-reliant. You will have the chance to learn about yourself in ways that you would not have had if you had stayed in your home country. All of the decisions and challenges that come with finding your way in a new environment will be even more challenging, but they will also be truly educational, I promise. You will become capable of handling any situation and will establish an identity of a problem-solver. Finally, you will meet diverse people who have various perspectives on the world, which will make you reconsider your place in it. There are tremendous life lessons and experiences to be gained from all of the people you will come across with.
