Many universities offer study abroad programs, in which students can continue earning credits towards their degree while studying in another country. These programs are very popular, but are they worth the hype?
It’s worth it! | Stay home instead! |
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For many students, studying abroad is their first time traveling outside of the country. Living in another part of the world for five months while earning your degree is the best of both worlds. In bigger cities you will meet people from all around the world. Suddenly, everything becomes a language lesson. Going to a cafe and ordering coffee becomes conversation practice, while reading a bus sign becomes reading practice. On weekends, you can travel to neighboring towns, cities, or even countries. Studying abroad is non-stop adventure, it out of your system before you graduate. | Studying abroad has many disadvantages. If you don’t have a lot of money saved, you won’t be able to have many of the experiences you see in movies. Traveling is expensive. You need to eat out, pay for a room to sleep in, pay for transportation, etc. which makes going over your budget inevitable. Depending where you go, you may not speak the language. This can sometimes be isolating and lead to spending a large bulk of time on your own. Everything is more difficult when you don’t speak the language. For example, going to a supermarket and not understanding the ingredients listed can be daunting. |

- Which side of the argument do you agree with? Explain.