Educational Management Assignment: Advantages & Disadvantages Of Studying Abroad

Question

Task:
You are to write a research paper. Choose one of the topics below to prepare this educational management assignment:

1. Is mankind today too dependent on technology?
2. Discuss the advantages and disadvantages of studying abroad.
3. Discuss the role of government in promoting and supporting lifelong employability for a country’s workers.

Research Paper Format
You have to use Harvard formatting using the Times New Roman or Arial font.

Research Requirements
Your research paper is to be at least two (2) pages long, or approximately 1000-1200 words (not including your cover page, outline, or reference list). It must be well-researched complete with in-text citations and at least four sources in your reference list.

Answer

Introduction 

As per the research on educational management assignment, it is stated that with rapid growth in globalization, colleges and universities are offering students from various countries to get admitted based on their preference and area of interest. Students are increasingly exploring various ways of venturing into foreign countries for pursuing higher education for both personal and professional development (Petersdotter, Niehoff and Freund, 2017). The lucrative opportunities of better job prospects and international exposure have been motivating them to undertake higher studies in foreign countries. Thus, the purpose of the research paper is to explore the advantages and disadvantages of studying abroad.

Concept of Studying Abroad 

Students are constantly seeking new experiences, cultural competencies and advanced communication to enhance their personal and academic development by studying at international universities. Studying abroad has become an essential life event for young adults and students pursuing higher education (Petersdotter, Niehoff and Freund, 2017). This is because it not only positively influences their academic career but also enable them to develop their personality and social lives for a long term. There has been a rising trend of international student enrolment in US institutions for higher education, which reached a record high of 886,052 students in the academic year 2013-2014. This clearly represented a global trend of students willing to move abroad for higher education outside their home country (Milian, et al., 2015). 

Higher quality education system, wide range of schools, universities and programs and scholarships offered at different international universities motivate these students in studying abroad for getting an international exposure. Furthermore, it has been observed that the main motivation of international students leaving their country and studying abroad is to gain a global experience for their professional, personal and academic development (Branco Oliveira and Soares, 2016). Reputation of the institution, quality of education, reputation of faculty members, presence of research opportunities, infrastructure, flexibility of educational programmes and other support activities also determine the motivation for studying abroad. Alongside academic reputation of the universities, students studying abroad also seek for educational offers and scholarships as the costs of course affect their decisions (Branco Oliveira and Soares, 2016). In addition to this, employability opportunities and location of the university from students’ homes also determine their decision of choosing a university.

Advantages of Studying Abroad 

Students gain various advantages while studying abroad in foreign colleges or universities. These mainly include better resources and facilities, knowing different culture, affordable taxes, learning opportunities, flexibility and adaptation, independence, better educational system, cultural diversity and sensitivity, evaluation system, relationship between student and professor, personal and educational development, country image, language fluency and others (Tamas, 2014). Both the foreign universities and students receive benefits from international education. For example, these international students generate non-economic benefits for the host countries like increase in diplomacy, enriching educational climate for domestic students and enhancing cultural awareness amongst them (Alghamdi and Otte, 2016). This cultural diversity further helps in reducing racism and increasing sensitivity and tolerance towards others’ cultures. 

On the other hand, international students also learn about other cultures and become more aware about cultural differences. They also gain the advantage of experiencing living and studying in foreign country with ample opportunities (Alghamdi and Otte, 2016). Furthermore, the trend of increasing number of international students across the world has been attributed to many other advantages. It has been pointed out students pursuing higher studies abroad become proficient in foreign language, establish relationships with international professionals and friends, develop personal qualities, enhance employment prospects, increase their academic competence and further develop intercultural sensitivity and competence (Nghia, 2019). On the other hand, these international students bring various economic benefits to the foreign country by paying their tuition fees, using services of tourism, catering, accommodation, printing editing and others. These contribute towards the economic growth of the host country. 

The international students further act as a bridge between their home and host countries, thereby tightening the relationship between them. Besides, students studying abroad gain better job prospects and chances of getting settled at the foreign country (Costello, 2019). They are also able to identify new interests and cultivate them in the foreign countries. Cultural intelligence is essential for individuals in today’s global business environment. This trait can be achieved by studying abroad as students get to interact with peers from different social and cultural backgrounds. Such cultural awareness and sensitivity enable them to become more tolerant towards others’, thereby developing their personality. This is essential for future job prospects while applying for different positions in multinational enterprises (Nghia, 2019). Alongside new life experiences, students become more comfortable in dealing with challenges while living away from their home that further prepares them for the real life situations.

Disadvantages of Studying Abroad 

Alongside having several benefits of studying abroad, there also exist challenges and disadvantages that students face in international universities or colleges. Some of these common disadvantages as identified in various interviews with students include cultural shock, finding accommodation and internship, different evaluation system, studying in other language, financial difficulties, stereotype and prejudice of hosting country, interactions with local people, homesickness, distance from friends, administrative issues and family and others (Tamas, 2014). 

Furthermore, it has been observed that international students mainly perceive language difficulties as the most challenging issue while studying abroad. Such issue not only influence their academic performance but further impacts their social and psychological adjustment. These students also face lack of proper resource reference that hampers their academic achievement. Other academic difficulties alongside language issues include absence of proper writing skills, inability to meeting requirements, issues with reference and others (Alghamdi and Otte, 2016). International students studying abroad also come across socio-cultural barriers. These prevent them from getting involved in social activities, building close relationships and consequently, contribute to their acculturative stress. Such cultural differences often lead to social isolation of the students studying abroad. Besides, this social exclusion generates negative impact on their security and safety needs resulting in violence and exploitation from others. Studying abroad also gives rise to psychological concerns such as ethnic discrimination, separation from friends and family, alienation and homesickness (Grace Chien, 2020). 

Another significant challenge faced during international study are basic welfare issues because of lack of financial security. This is because they often do not possess access to common support services in the foreign country. Insufficient funding makes it difficult for the students to pay their tuition fees or cover their living expenses. This might often lure them to create fake accounts for borrowing money from others. Besides, international students also come across various off-campus problems like identifying appropriate accommodations, exploitation from employers and landlords and seeking for employment (Netz, 2015). 

Cultural or psychological adjustment, personal disadvantages and high costs are significant issues present while studying abroad. Cultural or emotional adjustment takes time because of the distinct cultural differences, thereby often resulting in feelings of loneliness, helplessness, stress, sadness and others (Holtbrügge and Engelhard, 2016). High costs are mainly associated with expenses of living, tuition fees and studying in the foreign country. Moreover, personal disadvantages occur because of individual backgrounds, experiences and circumstances, thereby affecting their ability to adjust with new learning or training methods, lack of network, work culture and others.

Conclusion 

Studying abroad has become an increasing trend in the recent years with the rapid growth in globalization. The concept of studying abroad has gained more popularity in recent years with various student exchange programs, scholarships and others. This research paper focused on analysing this trend by first exploring the concept of international studies. The paper then identified and discussed various advantages and disadvantages for both students and host countries in studying abroad.

Reference List

Alghamdi, H. and Otte, S., 2016. The challenges and benefits of study abroad. International Journal of humanities and social science, 6(5), pp.16-22.

Branco Oliveira, D. and Soares, A.M., 2016. Studying abroad: Developing a model for the decision process of international students. Journal of Higher Education Policy and Management, 38(2), pp.126-139.

Costello, J., 2019. Students’ stories of studying abroad: Reflections upon return. Journal of International Students, 2015 Vol. 5 (1), 5(1), pp.50-59.

Grace Chien, Y., 2020. Studying abroad in Britain: Advantages and disadvantages. Journal of Research in International Education, 19(1), pp.69-83.

Holtbrügge, D. and Engelhard, F., 2016. Study abroad programs: Individual motivations, cultural intelligence, and the mediating role of cultural boundary spanning. Academy of Management Learning & Education, 15(3), pp.435-455.

Milian, M., Birnbaum, M., Cardona, B. and Nicholson, B., 2015. Personal and professional challenges and benefits of studying abroad. Educational management assignment Journal of International Education and Leadership, 5(1), p.n1.

Netz, N., 2015. What deters students from studying abroad? Evidence from four European countries and its implications for higher education policy. Higher Education Policy, 28(2), pp.151-174.

Nghia, T.L.H., 2019. Motivations for studying abroad and immigration intentions: The case of Vietnamese students. Journal of International Students, 9(3), pp.758-776.

Petersdotter, L., Niehoff, E. and Freund, P.A., 2017. International experience makes a difference: Effects of studying abroad on students' self-efficacy. Personality and Individual Differences, 107, pp.174-178.

Petersdotter, L., Niehoff, E. and Freund, P.A., 2017. International experience makes a difference: Effects of studying abroad on students' self-efficacy. Personality and Individual Differences, 107, pp.174-178.

Tamas, A., 2014. Advantages of study abroad from the students’ perspective. International Journal of Teaching and Education, 2(4), pp.67-88.