THE
PROS AND CONS OF GETTING AN OVERSEAS EDUCATION
Nowadays, many students got
scholarship and study overseas. Thus, the number of Malaysian students in
institutions of higher education in the United States for the period 2009/2010
increased by 4.2 percent to 6.190 from 5.942 in the previous years. This
movement of getting an overseas education ought to be analyzed the pros and
cons of the issues. The pros are world class academic system and
infrastructure, working experience, improve foreign language, and learn new
culture. Despite that, the cons are influenced by negative thinking style and
lifestyle, not able to be independent, cost a lot of money and energy, and
cheated by native.
First and foremost, the students who study
overseas will be exposed to world class academic system and infrastructure. For
sure their quality of teaching and learning has a very high standard. In
addition, most of the text books are from overseas and many authentic academic materials
are produced in U.K and U.S.A. Therefore, the students can have easy access to
get many genuine materials. Thus, they can read the book in their original language.
For example, the legend medicine book, At-Tibb, which written by Ibnu Sina is
in Arabic.
Second, one of the advantages of
learning overseas is the students can get real life working experience during
spare time at the foreign country. Consequently, it will give added values to
them in many ways. Despite getting extra money, they can learn new skills such
as dealing with clients and know how to treat them appropriately. Thus, those
who work at restaurant can learn how to make native meal and traditional food.
Third,
the students can improve their foreign language skills. The native speakers are
everywhere. Thus, language is for us to use, not to keep it in the mouth. Nevertheless,
the students do not have any choice but to speak in the foreign language in
daily chat such as buying goods at groceries shop or any market. In such situation,
the students can master their foreign language rapidly and built up their
confident to converse comfortably with others native speaker.
Forth,
in new places, we can learn new culture and break the cultural encapsulation
among foreigners. Therefore, the students can grab this opportunity while
studying at overseas. Hence, it will help us to open our mind and built mutual
respect on others who have different values in life. Nevertheless, it can
enhance diplomatic relationship between various countries. For instance,
Malaysian students can learn Chinese culture of business. In addition, the
entire gap between cultures will be lessened and no prejudice and stereotype
towards others on sensitive issues such as apartheid in South East Africa.
Furthermore,
the con of getting an overseas education is mainly about the influence of
negative thinking style and lifestyle. In Malaysia, we called it as ‘budaya
kuning’ which describe the negative influence from west such as punk head, sexy
outfit, and mocking. Some country like USA use harsh word in their colloquial
language such ‘fuck you’ and ‘shit’. Thus, they call their parents with names
rather than address them properly. Also, alcohol is amiable and people can buy
it everywhere. The clubbing lifestyle and too many parties are not suitable for
Islamic religion and eastern culture. Despite that, they are also tolerable with
gay and lesbian lifestyles which are legally right in their country. Most of
the time, they make decision based on logical sense and beyond than our norm.
Next,
some students are weak self and not able to be independent when they live
abroad. For many years they live with their parents and after finished O-Level
they went overseas with low maturity. When they live alone by themselves, some
do not know how to get along with new people and strangers. And this make them
become passive. Also, they are weak in managing their financial plan. So, they
waste their money recklessly without saving for years ahead. When they broke,
they tend to borrow money from friends. Moreover, they are easily being
influence by their friends and most of the time they loiter at shopping complex
or other places.
Furthermore,
studying overseas is costing a lot of money and energy. There are many payments
and bills that we need to consider. For instance, the flight ticket cost you
thousands of Ringgit. If you book a ticket to Jordan, it will cost you
approximately RM 2,000 for one way ticket. Thus, the university’s fees are also
expensive. I addition, you need to pay for rent house or hostel for your
accommodation there. The most basic part is to spend money for food and drinks.
Thus, academic books and study materials need to be put into account. On the
other hand, we need to pay for public transport to travel to classes.
Lastly,
some students can easily being cheated by the natives. Most of the cases are
because they do not have money to survive out of the country and tend to find
easy money by doing part time job. Unfortunately, they were cheated and involved
in criminal. For example, previously there was a genius female student from
Malaysia who studied in UK was desperate to get money and she involved in
prostitution.
As conclusion, there are pros and cons
of getting an overseas education. The students need to be analytical in making
decision before continuing their study in a foreign country. As preparation, it is recommended to ask
people who have been studied abroad to seek for their experiences and tips on
how to adopt and adapt with different academic environment.
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