So many young students give up their dream of studying abroad because they believe so many misconceptions out there about traveling that they end up hesitating even more. It’s time to set the records straight.
Is there any actual truth to the common misconceptions that are shared about an international experience and studying abroad?
Studying Abroad is a Waste of Time and Money
This is probably the biggest myth out there. The cost varies depending on the length and type of the course, as well as the country of choice and the chosen school/university. This being said, a lot of institutions offer scholarships and early bird discounts to make sure that international students can comfortably apply and not be overwhelmed by the tuition alongside the living expenses that come with it. In fact, in the majority of the cases, an international education can be cheaper than one taken in the home country.
Also, time is never wasted while abroad. Between hustling in projects, assignments, managing a small household on their own, and discovering the city, students get the big package of this whole experience, which will allow them to stay focused and invest on themselves.
It’s All About Partying and Having Fun
Studying abroad can be fun, but it’s not all about that. For serious students, education will always come first; however, the international experience is not just a learning experience from an academic perspective, but also on a personal one. Students gain confidence, open up to different cultures and personalities, gain new set of skills, and take some time on their own to reflect about their lives and future project. Learning and building valuable skills are the key elements of an international education as studying abroad is a rare opportunity that can offer educational possibilities a home education never could, and balancing fun and serious work is a personal choice some people make whether they end up traveling or staying in their home country.
In addition, students abroad will learn a completely new system of education and automatically develop a new sense of problem solving in a different environment. Personal ideas and beliefs will be challenged which is a necessary factor in top education.
Recruiters Don’t Value International Degrees
This couldn’t be further from the truth. Employers nowadays are increasingly looking for individuals who can work in a cross cultural environment: it shows openness, flexibility, and strong communication and listening skills. Also, the ability to plan and organise time becomes even more important and an asset to any recruiting business because these graduates will be able to handle and work in teams with diverse backgrounds and members.
Studying Abroad is Not Safe
Of course doing research before deciding to travel is highly recommended, to set the expectations and prepare for the unexpected because at the end of the day, it is a fact that some countries are safer than others. Nonetheless, safety shouldn’t be a major concern when deciding whether or not to study abroad. Most universities will have established processes in place to help international students settle in and feel safe, from finding the right accommodation to advising about the areas and how to handle public transformation to feel more at ease and secure. After all, the world has become more and more connected, and with everything being reported and people being more outspoken, the world is becoming safer, especially for students who are surrounded by good support. This fear should not let anyone miss out on a great opportunity, and once young people decide to take that chance, they’ll realize they made the right call from the first week they step foot into the new country, just like these motivated EMLV international students who began their semester on October 1st and started their international programmes that gathered an incredible diverse student population with different needs : knowledge, exposure, experience, networks, business development skills.
All you need to know about the international programmes at EMLV business school in Paris.
