ADVANTAGES AND DISADVANTAGES OF STUDYING ABROAD

Advantages:

Cultural Exposure: Studying abroad exposes you to different cultures,

languages, and lifestyles, broadening your perspective and enhancing your
cultural intelligence.

Academic Excellence: Many countries have top-notch universities and

colleges. Studying there can give you access to world-class education and
research opportunities.

It Takes You Out of Your Comfort Zone: Moving abroad to study forces you
to be independent and not rely on family members for support. You will have
to work out for yourself how everything works in your host country. This gives
you the opportunity to confront any social anxieties you may have and
become a more confident person as a result. You will realize that you can do
much more for yourself than you previously thought

Career Opportunities: International experience can make your resume stand

out. Employers often value the adaptability, cultural awareness, and language
skills gained while studying abroad.

Language Proficiency: If you study in a non-native English-speaking country,

you have the chance to improve your language skills significantly.

Networking: You can build a global network of friends, professors, and

professionals, which can be invaluable in your future career.

Disadvantages:

Cost: Studying abroad can be expensive. Tuition fees, living expenses, and
travel costs add up. Scholarships can help, but not everyone qualifies for
them.

Home-sickness: Being away from home, especially in a vastly different time

zone, can lead to homesickness and feelings of isolation.
Cultural Differences: Adapting to a new culture can be challenging.
Differences in social norms, food, and communication styles might lead to
misunderstandings or discomfort.

Language and Cultural Barriers

While studying abroad is an excellent opportunity to learn a new language,
you may initially have some problems with language barriers. This is
especially likely at the beginning when you need to arrange things like a bank
account and accommodation. It is also possible that you could come up
against cultural barriers to do with religion, gender roles, or communication
differences.

Academic Challenges: The education system, teaching styles, and

expectations might differ significantly from what you are accustomed to,
leading to academic challenges initially.

Legal and Health Issues: Navigating a new country's legal system, healthcare,
and safety regulations can be complex and stressful.

Reverse Culture Shock: When you return home, you might experience reverse
culture shock, finding it difficult to readjust to your home country's ways after
being accustomed to a different culture.

PROJECT: RESEARCH A CULTURE

1. Can you tell me about your experience of working/studying abroad or
coming to work/study in our country?
2. What were some positive aspects of your experience? Could you provide
specific examples?
3. Were there any cultural misunderstandings or challenges that you
encountered? How did you deal with them?
4. In what ways did the customs and etiquette in the new culture differ from
your own? Did you have to adjust your behavior or communication style?
5. Can you share any insights about the ways of working in the new culture?
Were there any significant differences in terms of work ethic, hierarchy, or
communication?
6. Did you notice any distinctive characteristics of the national character in
the new culture? How did it influence your experience?

During the interview, you can use expressions like the following to check and
confirm information:
So, do you mean...?
Are you saying that...?
Can I just check, when you say...?

❖ Introduction:
Can you please introduce yourself and briefly describe your experience of
working/studying abroad or in a different culture?
❖ Cultural Differences:
What were some of the most significant cultural differences you observed
between your home country and the country you worked or studied in?
Can you share any specific instances where you faced cultural
misunderstandings? How did you handle them?
❖ Customs and Etiquette:
How did you adapt to the customs and etiquette of the new culture? Were there
any customs that surprised you or that you found challenging to follow?
❖ Ways of Working:
In what ways did the work/study environment differ from what you were used to in
your home country?
Were there differences in the work/study pace, communication styles, or
hierarchy? How did you navigate these differences?
❖ Directness vs. Indirectness:
Did you notice a difference in communication styles, particularly in being direct or
indirect, between the cultures? How did this impact your interactions with
colleagues or classmates?
❖ National Character:
Based on your experience, did you observe any traits that you would consider
typical of the national character in the country you worked or studied in? How did
these traits influence interpersonal relationships and work dynamics?
❖ Positive Experiences:
Can you share some positive experiences or moments that you had while
working or studying abroad? What made these experiences memorable or
enriching?
❖ Negative Experiences:
Were there any challenges or negative experiences you faced during your time
abroad? How did you cope with these challenges, and what did you learn from
them?

Positive Experiences:
Cultural Exposure: Immersion in a different culture offers the opportunity to
learn new customs, traditions, and languages, broadening one's worldview.
 Personal Growth: Adapting to a new environment fosters adaptability,
resilience, and personal growth, enhancing self-confidence and
problem-solving skills.
Diverse Perspectives: Interacting with people from various cultural
backgrounds encourages the exchange of ideas and perspectives, leading
to creative thinking and innovation.
Professional Development: Exposure to diverse work practices can
enhance professional skills, making individuals more versatile and valuable
in the job market.
Networking: Building a diverse network can open doors to international
career opportunities and collaborations, providing valuable connections for
the future.
Global Understanding: Living in a different culture fosters empathy and
understanding, breaking down stereotypes and prejudices.

Negative Experiences:
Cultural Shock: Adjusting to new customs, food, and social norms can be
overwhelming, leading to feelings of isolation, frustration, and
homesickness.
Language Barrier: Difficulty in communication can hinder both personal
relationships and professional interactions, leading to misunderstandings
and a sense of exclusion.
Discrimination: Some individuals may face discrimination or bias due to
their nationality or ethnicity, affecting their self-esteem and overall
well-being.
Workplace Challenges: Different work ethics, hierarchies, and
communication styles can create challenges in the workplace, affecting
teamwork and productivity.
Legal and Administrative Hurdles: Navigating visa regulations, healthcare
systems, and other bureaucratic processes in a foreign country can be
complex and stressful.
Social Isolation: It can be challenging to build meaningful social
connections, leading to feelings of loneliness and isolation, especially if the
host culture is markedly different.

7.2 Cultural anecdotes

1A) Adapting to a new environment, especially when working or studying abroad,

is a complex process that involves various aspects of life. The importance of
each factor can vary depending on individual preferences and circumstances.
However, I can provide a general perspective on the importance of each item you
mentioned:

Most Important:

● Learning about the Culture: Understanding the local culture is essential. It

helps in avoiding cultural misunderstandings, adapting social behavior, and
being respectful to local customs and traditions. This knowledge also aids
in building meaningful relationships with locals, which can be crucial for
overall adaptation.
● Getting to Know New Friends and Colleagues: Social support is invaluable
when adapting to a new environment. Friends and colleagues can provide
emotional support, help in understanding the local norms, and offer
practical advice about living and working/studying in the new place.
● Finding Somewhere to Live: Having a stable living situation is important for
mental and emotional well-being. It provides a sense of security and a
base from which to explore the new surroundings. It also impacts the
overall quality of life.

Moderately Important:

● Getting to Know the Region: Understanding the geography, transportation,

and basic amenities in the region is important for practical reasons. It aids
in navigating the new environment, finding essential services, and feeling
more secure in the new location.
● Joining a Club: Joining a club or social group can provide a sense of
belonging and an opportunity to meet like-minded people. While this can
enhance the social experience, its importance might vary based on
individual interests and the availability of suitable clubs or groups in the
area.

Least Important (but still valuable):

In the context of adapting to a new environment, all the factors you mentioned
are important to some extent. However, if we were to prioritize, finding
somewhere to live might be considered the least important on the list. While
having a stable living situation is crucial, it's often one of the first tasks people
take care of when moving to a new place. Once a suitable accommodation is
secured, attention can be focused on other aspects of adaptation like building
social connections and understanding the culture.
Remember that the importance of these factors can vary greatly depending on
individual preferences and the specific challenges faced in the new environment.
What might be least important for one person could be crucial for another based
on their personal circumstances.

1B) Possible answers

reading travel/cultural guides; preparing to move and
packing; asking your company/organisation for advice
about relocation/studying abroad; going on a short trip
in advance to see what it's like; finding a good school for
your children (for those students with families); finding
out about the culture's values, e.g. religious practices/
holidays; talking to work colleagues/students from the
other country before you go

3.
Speaker 1
1 F (There was a smell of incense burning.)
2T
3T
Speaker 2
4T
Speaker 3
5 F (Shivani was working hard because her colleagues had
fallen ill and she was covering for them. When she didn't
send the figures, her American boss sent her an email
with a red flag, copying in all the team.)
6 F (Shivani's boss wanted the figures by the end of the
month, so when Shivani didn't send them, her boss
sent her an 'angry' email. (Shivani hadn't explained the
situation to her boss because she didn't want to give
a bad impression.))