There are a lot of options to think about when it comes to graduate school, which is a crucial educational step. Do you choose to attend a local school or one that is out of state? How about earning a graduate degree overseas? I can state with confidence that there are benefits and drawbacks of pursuing a graduate study abroad.
Consider whether getting a graduate degree overseas is the appropriate path for you. We’ll go over the advantages of attending a foreign university as well as some things you might want to think about.
Benefits Of Pursuing Graduate Study Abroad
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It can be less expensive to get your degree
The expense of graduate school in the United States can be high. Attending an in-state institution can cut costs, but the truth is that you’ll probably wind up in debt in the process.
As of 2023, students in the United States held loans totaling approximately 1.74 trillion dollars, according to Nerd Wallet. Approximately 25% of recent college graduates who owe money on their student loans work multiple jobs and report higher levels of financial instability. Fortunately, there is an alternative if these numbers make you think twice about going to graduate school.
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It’s the ideal chance to learn a language
Most likely, you’re going to graduate school to increase your chances of landing a job. After graduating, you can potentially desire to work overseas or in the nation where you are pursuing your graduate degree.
Living in a nation where English is not the primary language offers special chances to pick up the language. Speaking a second or third language enhances your life and makes a great addition to your resume. Even if they are pursuing a doctorate degree in English, universities frequently give free or heavily discounted language classes to international students.
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 You can establish worldwide connections
Studying for your graduate degree overseas gives you the opportunity to specialize in a field of your choice and ensures that you will interact with researchers and professionals in the field. Can you picture yourself studying geothermal energy in Iceland and visiting the Blue Lagoon as a class? There is nothing better than practical experience to enhance your classroom education.
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In addition to helping you connect with area professionals and academics, classmates are a great resource for networking. Compared to my graduate program in the United States, the diversity of my master’s cohort in Ireland was astounding. India, Tanzania, Mexico, the United Kingdom, the United States, Uganda, and of course Ireland were among my other classmates. They had graduate degrees in social sciences, medicine, nursing, dentistry, and nutrition. Becoming acquainted with these great people has given me access to a world of opportunities.
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Grad school overseas accelerates personal development
Even if graduate school is difficult on its own, studying abroad will force you to continuously push yourself to the edge. It will take some time to get used to living in a foreign nation with a different culture on top of having to deal with a different teaching style than you’re used to. If this seems frightening, think about how much you will change as a result of these encounters.
The Drawbacks Of Pursuing Graduate Study Abroad
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Living expenses can be more than they are at home
When you take into account the cost of living, you might find that a university in the United States costs almost as much as one in a nation where tuition is free. All around the world, the cost of necessities like food and rent is rising for cities big and small. Rooms in an apartment or shared house in Dublin, a city popular with international students, are reportedly fetching up to $1,000 a month.
Remember to account for non-tuition costs such as rent, utilities, food, transportation, and recreational activities while creating a budget and comparing prices.
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Job options may be restricted by language barriers
One of the challenges while looking for work overseas during graduate school or after graduation is a language barrier.
The majority of student jobs are in the retail and hotel industries. If you are studying abroad and don’t speak the language fluently, you can have trouble finding part-time job. While English is an international language, it won’t assist if your line of work requires you to communicate with locals.
To learn more about any on-campus employment opportunities for English speakers, contact the career development center on your campus. They may also have leads for jobs outside of their company. In the event that nothing else works, think about marketing yourself as a basic or academic English tutor at the institution and in your community.
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Lost chances to network in your country of origin
Studying overseas may prevent you from gaining local networking if your post-graduation plans involve moving back home to work. In today’s cutthroat employment market, references are frequently just as valuable as qualifications.
Studying at a university in or close to your chosen city may be more advantageous if your hobbies or career ambitions are hyper-local (e.g., development projects in Baltimore or Detroit) in order to interact with local stakeholders and leaders. Although studying abroad can provide fresh perspectives on issues in a field, in some academic specialties, networking is the key to success.
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You might feel homesick
The inconspicuous might be attacked hard and at any time by this dreadful condition. Relocating for graduate school overseas and starting over may be both exhilarating and difficult. Although it can be challenging to be in unfamiliar places, the benefit of homesickness is that it is only momentary. You will undoubtedly benefit if you can get past those first uncomfortable feelings.
Consider the benefits and drawbacks before deciding if graduate school overseas is the correct choice for you.
Conclusion
Obtaining a graduate degree overseas is a thrilling experience that needs careful preparation. After assessing the benefits and drawbacks, if you decide that this path is best for you, start your investigation to find the ideal program of study. You can expect an exciting and incredibly rewarding journey once your graduate program is underway!