5 Common Challenges you’ll face while Studying Abroad

Studying abroad offers a unique opportunity to grow academically, professionally, and personally while going on a once-in-a-lifetime adventure. There are a number of other benefits to studying abroad; however, there are also numerous challenges.

What is it like for an Indian student to study abroad? The truth is, it is not very easy. However, everything that you go through is worth the effort. Most Indian students have tons of questions including minor queries and major concerns about their life in their host nation.

Here are a few challenges that you may encounter abroad:

1. Accommodation problems

Indian students may find it difficult to find suitable accommodation in a foreign location while pursuing higher studies. It may also be difficult to find accommodation that is near the university campus, has a good infrastructure and suits their budget.

2. Time zone annoyances

Trying to navigate two time zones on opposite ends of the planet can be frustrating at best. You constantly have to double check what times are appropriate for which time zone, and get in the habit of making phone calls super early in the morning or late in the evenings. Indian students may also feel homesick staying far away from family and friends. Students who are very close to their parents may find it tough to stay alone. Such students may feel lonely and will have to learn to manage their emotions in the absence of their close companions.

3. Financial/Monetary problems

Pursuing higher studies abroad is expensive and students may face monetary problems at some point or other. While considering the cost associated with studying abroad students have to take care of tuition costs, accommodation costs, living expenses, books, cost of traveling etc. it may also be necessary to purchase a personal computer or a laptop etc. to help oneself study. During a financial emergency, it may be difficult to arrange for necessary funds needed to take care of expenses.

4. Overcoming the language barrier

Indian students going to countries such as UK, US, Australia etc. where English is spoken as the first language, may find it difficult to overcome the language barrier. Students may find it difficult to speak fluently in English and at times may find it hard to clearly understand what the natives are saying. The use of English words and phrases may vary in different countries abroad. Although there are standard examinations such as TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language), IELTS, GRE, GMAT that a student has to clear before getting admitted in a foreign university, matching the pace, accent and tone of the foreign counterparts may be challenging.

5. Living an independent lifestyle

For an Indian student it may be difficult to manage the entire cooking, cleaning, washing etc. in the beginning unless accustomed to do these jobs along with studies. Unlike India, it is very expensive and difficult to hire help to get these jobs done. In overseas countries such as UK, USA even domestic servant charge on an hourly basis which may be very difficult to afford. Hence Indian students may face problems in managing household work with studies. However, with time the students will be able to adopt such a lifestyle and learn to commute between nations, pay bills and manage expenses by themselves.

The experience abroad for an Indian student could be life altering. One may face problems but for a short-interval of 5 to 6 months, before it becomes part of their daily routine.

(Source: Edwiseinternational)

Vocabulary

Bài viết trên đã trình bày khái quát 5 thách thức cơ bản bạn sẽ có thể gặp phải khi đi du học nước ngoài, đó là:

1.   Accommodation problems (Vấn đề về chỗ ở: Học sinh sinh viên có thể gặp khó khăn trong việc tìm một chỗ ở hợp lý về giá cả, vị trí gần trường, và cơ sở vật chất tương đối ổn)

2.   Time zone annoyances (Khó khăn vì chênh lệch múi giờ: Học sinh sinh viên đi du học ở nước ngoài có thể gặp khó khăn vì sự chênh lệch múi giờ, phải kiểm tra đi kiểm tra lại đồng hồ hoặc làm quen với đồng hồ sinh học mới, ngoài ra còn phải sống xa gia đình, bạn bè)

3.   Financial/Monetary problems (Vấn dề tài chính: Chi phí đi du học khá đắt đỏ, bao gồm nhiều loại phí khác nhau, như phí gia sư, phí nhà trọ, tiền sách, tiền đi lại, mua máy tính, laptop,…)

4.   Overcoming the language barrier (Vượt qua rào cản ngôn ngữ: học sinh có thể sẽ gặp phải rào cản ngôn ngữ, không hiểu người bản xứ nói gì hay chính bản thân cũng không thể nói trôi chảy ngôn ngữ của họ, gây ra khó khăn trong giao tiếp)

5.   Living an independent lifestyle (Sống theo lối sống độc lập: Việc phải cân bằng giữa áp lực học tập với việc làm việc nhà khá khó khăn với sinh viên, hơn nữa, chi phí thuê người giúp việc lại không hề rẻ)

Câu hỏi

You should spend about 40 minutes on this task. Many students decide to further their study abroad. What are the benefits and drawbacks of studying abroad? What is your view on this? What do you prefer? Give reasons for your answer.

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