Encouraging, supporting and assessing simultaneously: this is indeed a complex task. A teacher should always explore the magic power of his voice; whether you teach face to face, online, teenagers in teams or children, everybody wants to feel they are cared for.
Many students prepare to pass English qualifications because they would like to continue their studies abroad.
Consequently I questioned them about the reasons they would like to do that.
Many of them (60% out of 300) answered that you really need an excuse to fly to a far-off country in order to gain a world-class education as a super-cultured international student.
I also came up with the following numbers for the reasons I questioned about:
1. It’ll look good on your CV – 100%
Exploring a new country at the same time as acquiring the international skills to gain a decent graduate job, is worth paying the price.
2. Brush up on your language skills – 30%
All Romanian students had a good degree of English and seemed confident about their communication skills. They simply needed to refresh them by studying abroad.
3. Living in a foreign country is completely different to a holiday 80%
They knew they can get to experience that place of study in the long term, to pick up local knowledge such as where the best coffee is served, what tourist traps to avoid and how to get the most out of your new city.
4. Meet a diverse range of people 100%
By studying abroad you encounter many different types of people. You develop your interpersonal skills, your social skills and you get to know people best.
5. Make lifelong friends 60%
You may not love every single person you meet, but chances are that you’ll meet at least one lifelong friend (if you’re good at keeping in touch, that is).
6. Discover new and exciting foods 90%
The Romanian students were more than willing to try new cuisines.
7. Study and learn differently 80%
Often those studying abroad will experience a completely new way of teaching. This can be daunting, but it will also open your mind to new ways of learning.
8. Gain independence 100%
It’s not easy being independent but it’s a lot better than living with your parents as most adolescents admitted. Sounds typically isn’t it?
9. Learn self-reliance 60%
Moving abroad is the ultimate test in self-reliance. It helps you to take more responsibility for yourself.
10. You’ll gain a greater knowledge of different cultures 100%
Cultural sensitivity is also something you can develop while studying abroad and observe the cultural iceberg!
11. See your own culture through a new lens 20%
It’s easy to accept your own culture as absolute, but living in another country can help inform your point of view on your home culture, allowing you to develop your own views rather than simply accepting those defined by where happen to come from.
12. Learn more about yourself 100%
Immersing yourself into a completely new environment will help you to figure out what you’re good at, as well as what you’re not so good at. These are things that can then be built on during your study abroad experience. They take time and bring self improvement.
13. Become an adult 20%
Speed up the transition from teenager to adult by leaping into the unknown. You’ll have to work for yourself, buy your own meals and wash your own clothes, but it’ll all be worth it.
14. Gain life experience 100%
One of the best reasons to study abroad is to gain life experience. You’ll learn how to organize your life and “pack” it into one suitcase, handle unforeseen situations, be independent and self-sufficient.
15. Be spontaneous and adventurous 10%
When you’re kilometers away from home, spontaneity and adventurousness are your best friends. Open your mind up to new experiences and sights and the fun will come your way.
16. You learn to appreciate the smaller things more 80%
Studying abroad usually means you have even fewer possessions than the average student, and being that much further from home can really make you miss those familiar comforts you’d taken for granted. Welcome to a new-found appreciation of everything from your parents’ cooking to having more than two pairs of shoes to choose from.
17. Gain a global mind-set 90%
Students will be able to use their new global mind-set to back up arguments and inform about their beliefs and steer their future.
18. Get the perks of international student discounts 40%
Student discounts are always fun but 100 times more so when you’re shopping in a new store with funny-looking money! (Disclaimer: don’t spend it all at once.)
19. It is an unforgettable experience 100%
Your study abroad experience will stay with you long after it’s over.
20. You’ll appreciate your home and family more 70%
Home and family are very important and tend to get stronger once you left the country for the studies. These relationships will look so much stronger!
21. International student funding is becoming more common 30%
Studying abroad doesn’t have to leave you with no money in your pocket, as more and more institutions and governmental bodies are offering dedicated scholarships for international students. Google for them!
22. Take advantage of lower tuition fees 70%
This of course depends on where you study abroad, but if you choose a location in many parts of continental Europe, Asia and Latin America, you’ll find it’s possible to study at a highly reputed university without getting into debt.
23. Use your spare time to explore 90%
In between classes, studying abroad should leave you with plenty of time to explore. Trying new foods or bartering at local markets, both are great way of spending your time!
24. Increase your international job prospects 80%
While you can always go home at the end of your time as an international student, many choose to stay put and apply for a working visa. If you return home or decide to look for elsewhere, the international experience provided by studying abroad is likely to be looked on favorably by employers.
25. Because “variety is the spice of life” 100%
Change, variety and new experiences make life worth living!
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