Author: Katie S.
As an international student in Boston, I notice that the people I meet are so diverse, I the networks I communicate are so comprehensive, and the tasks I had been so challenging. Why?
Due to the cultural customs, academic background, and geographical environment, studying abroad can push you to grow and intensify your ability to fit into the new society, especially study in New England Area.
You must have heard the Harvard University, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Tufts University, Boston College, and Brandeis University. These are ranked as the top 50 universities or colleges of New England are in U.S. News. More people are likely to choose Boston for their school.
Photo by Sebas Ribas on Unsplash
Before I planned to study abroad, I worried a lots thing, including the costs, network, communication, living, etc. Definitely, I paid a lot for my plan, but I gained more benefits than I paid. For example, I have an experience in a global hub and developing language skills via immersion in an international experience, as well as key factors to consider when choosing a location for your studies.
I interviewed one of my friend, Emily, who has the study abroad experience in U.K. Emily shares some personal thought about study abroad.
1. Experience a new culture
Emily spent one year to finish her Master Program in U.K. She said, “Nothing beats the immersive international experience you get while studying abroad.” The best way of finding out about another culture is by immersing yourself in it, and you can only do that by living in a country. Since you start to work, your holiday overseas might be limited to only two to four weeks per year. Therefore, you can learn the new culture via studying abroad.
Besides, when you are not staying in a familiar place, you will try anything to fit into the new culture or you will be seen as an odd person.
2. Make friends from around the world
It’s likely that the overseas university you choose for the international studies will have multiple communities of students both from the local area and all around the globe. Emily mentioned that she established lasting friendships with people based in many different countries since she attended the university life. They share the fun trips, crazy party, base understanding of different culture. “It just feels like I travel to several countries at one time,” Emily said.
Photo by Priscilla Du Preez on Unsplash
Being part of an internationally diverse academic community can facilitate the ability of learning, absorb the more comprehensive expertise and thought. If you want to find a job after you graduate, expanding your network can help you a lot.
3. Become truly independent
The experience of university is, for most new students, a steep learning curve in gaining independence. Most people would likely to choose the local university because of the familiarity and the fear of uncertainty. However, Emily highly recommends that studying abroad takes that a whole step further, challenging students to really develop as individuals.
4. Change the way you think
Studying abroad may well change the way you view all kinds of things which you’d previously taken for granted. When I met with Emily, we have the different background, expertise, and characteristics, that mutually impact our way of thinking when we communicate. When I talk to Emily in an American style, she felt I was so active. In contrast, I felt that Emily’s British style is too conservative. But we understand the way how we talk is relative to our background of studying abroad.
Studying abroad provides an opportunity to expand one's field of view and helps one to understand and analyze problems and phenomena from a longer-term, worldwide perspective. Even you are not agreeing with others’ thought, you will still respect their right to talk.
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