Education Abroad: Necessity or Fad?

In my teenage years, pursuing an education abroad was one of the biggest fantasies for me. I always thought achieving that dream needed a lot of money, but over time I realized that it was a necessity and the whole journey needed to start with the right guidance.

In 2021, despite the onset of the Covid-19 pandemic, as per UNESCO, 91% of Indian students showed an interest in pursuing their studies abroad. According to data from the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), despite many visa-related issues, 2,61,406 students went abroad to pursue an education.

Rick Steve said, “If we want a new generation of leaders and innovators who can be effective in an ever more globalized world, sending our students overseas is not a luxury. It’s a necessity.”

Stepping outside your comfort zone is one of the biggest challenges, but the whole experience of studying abroad is valuable and worthwhile.

Education abroad broadly offers two types of benefits — personal and academic.

Personal Growth: Studying abroad makes you!

1. New Country and Culture

Adaptability and getting immersed in a totally different environment can be scary at first, but it will help you grow your self-confidence and independence. It also gives you an opportunity to explore places or countries around your university, to learn about local food, history, traditional music, sports and customs. You may also get a chance to experience your own culture or tradition through the eyes of other people belonging to another culture. This in turn broadens your world view and perspective.

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