Why Study Abroad?

Study Abroad? Why Not?

written by : Eugenia Septhariani

Have you ever considered to study abroad? Studying abroad probably has always been a biggest dream for many people. Including me. I myself was inspired by people around me who got the chance to study abroad. I’m mesmerized when they come back to Indonesia and shared the experience they got abroad. It sounds fun and interesting: how you interact and socialize with other people with different background from all over the world.

In this era, the inevitable globalization makes countries in the world more interconnected. Not to mention the impact of rapid improvement of technology, makes us easily move to another place. The interconnected world nowadays makes international relations being tied. A lot of international cooperation that are made in various spheres of life. One of them is international cooperation in education. As we know, there are so many countries in the world that offer student-exchange programs or even scholarships. That’s why we can found so many Indonesian citizens who are studying abroad.

Based on that reality above, I personally believe that we, as the young generation of Indonesia should study abroad. Why I could say that? In my perspective, there are several reasons why we should study abroad.

Firstly, studying abroad could broaden your worldview. In this globalization era, we are expected to be more open-minded in every change that happens in the world. There are so many amazing things in the world that you probably haven’t discovered by yourself yet. You can expand your perspective of the world by being there, seeing it and experiencing it by yourself. Remember a quotation saying: “Experience is the best teacher.” See the world by yourself would probably become the most amazing experience that will change your life! In addition, students who study abroad return home with informed about the world and new perspective towards other cultures and people. Studying abroad could also give us an experience that a classroom setting will never provide. Because it’s not all about study, it’s about learning many new things: things that we probably never known their existence.

Secondly, studying abroad could indirectly form you to be an independent and tough person. Studying abroad makes us far from our hometown. This circumstance would make us know ourselves better: how we discover our ability and strength to adapt in foreign country. Being an independent and tough person is important due to the global era, when people from difference nation competes each other to be the best.

Thirdly, we could develop new skills. Some countries in the world, for instance Canada, allow its student to get a part-time job before they graduate. It helps you to socialize with other people from different background and feel the atmosphere of being an employee. Through this opportunity, you will certainly expand your opportunities to seek for a job. Many companies search for individuals with globally-minded skills. It’s a rare experience that you might not get in any other places, right?

Besides that, we can also get an opportunity to make friends from people all-over the world. Believe it or not, some of those people may even become your long-life friends. By studying abroad, you will surely get the chance to know other cultures and peoples from different background than our own. This thing could form us to be a person who can accept any kind of differences and respect the diversity.

Furthermore, we can also improve our English or any particular language skills that are required in the country where we study. As for me, study abroad probably is the only effective way to make us more fluent in any foreign language because we are surrounded by the language on our daily life. We are hearing the language in the proper way. Hence, learning a foreign language perhaps become optimal under these circumstances.

Finally, when we get back to Indonesia, we can share our experience and apply all the things that we got abroad to make a change in Indonesia. As the Indonesian youth, it’s our responsibility to make Indonesia more advanced.

However, a decision to study abroad doesn’t mean that we don’t love our country, Indonesia. There’s a quotation saying: “Don’t look for glory in your hometown. A real glory exists in the overseas at a young age.” (Sayyid Ahmad Hasyimi - Ranah 3 Warna). For me, this quotation inspires me a lot to study abroad right after I graduate from high school.

Based on the reasons I listed above, why don’t we try to study abroad? It is obvious that Indonesian youth should study abroad. There will be so many advantages that we could experience if we continue our study abroad.

If your family financial doesn’t supportive, don’t be afraid and give up. As a recommendation, you can take any scholarship that offers by some college/universities abroad. Don’t worry, there will be a lot of scholarships that are provided. Who knows if you are the lucky one who could get the opportunity to study abroad? Just try it!

So, what are you waiting for? Study hard from now on, get the scholarship and go abroad! See the world and experience it by yourself!