14 Pros and Cons of Studying Abroad in College (from a Study Abroad Expert)
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One of the biggest decisions college students have to make is whether or not to study abroad.
Like any major life decision, there are both pros and cons of studying abroad. On one hand, studying abroad is an amazing opportunity to see the world and learn about new cultures.
On the other hand, studying abroad can be expensive. And, depending on your degree, it might be difficult to meet your requirements abroad.
I was lucky enough to study abroad four times while completing my undergraduate degree. You could say that I’m kind of an expert when it comes to studying abroad.
I studied intercultural communication in Dublin, explored Cuba’s healthcare system in Havana, assisted a non-profit organization with water sample testing in Ecuador, and learned about the pros and cons of China’s education system.
All four programs were very different, and each one provided me with valuable educational and professional experience. They also sparked my love for travel!
There were definitely advantages and disadvantages to studying abroad that I considered when planning my programs (and experienced while being overseas), but for me, the advantages outweighed the disadvantages.
To help you decide if studying abroad is right for you, I’ve put together this list of pros and cons of studying abroad.
These are all based on my personal experiences that I had during my four study abroad programs, and hopefully, they will help give you a realistic look at all of the studying abroad pros and cons!
A World in Reach contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase through these links, I may receive a commission at no cost to you! Read my full disclosure here.
Pros of Studying Abroad
There are SO many advantages to studying abroad. Study abroad isn’t only beneficial during your time in college. It can pave the way for countless experiences throughout your life.
Here are some of the biggest pros of studying abroad!
1. You’ll be able to get out of your comfort zone.
The first time I left the United States was when I studied abroad for the first time in Dublin, Ireland.
I had only been on a plane three times before that trip, and while traveling internationally was always a dream of mine, it was never a possibility for me until I was able to study abroad.
Even though Ireland isn’t too different from the United States, traveling somewhere out of the country was definitely out of my comfort zone.
I was a first-generation college student who spent my entire pre-college life in a tiny town. None of my family (and few of my friends) had ever even considered traveling abroad, so I didn’t really know what to expect when I applied for the study abroad program.
Seven years later, I am SO glad I decided to fill out that application. That first big step of getting out of my comfort zone has opened me up to so many exciting opportunities throughout the years, from traveling independently to trying new foods.
Studying abroad is the perfect stepping stone to getting out of your comfort zone – in a big way. Once you make that big step, you’ll be prepped to take on so many wonderful opportunities in the future.
2. You’ll have the opportunity to travel and see new places.
For as long as I can remember, I’ve dreamed of seeing the world.
Before studying abroad, I was able to explore quite a bit of my home country, but I always longed for more.
After spending two weeks in Ireland, seeing everything from the Book of Kells to the Cliffs of Moher, I was hooked. Since, I’ve had a craving for seeing the monuments, landmarks, historic artifacts, and natural beauties that I once dreamed of.
Thanks to studying abroad, I’ve been able to explore the Old Town of Havana, Cuba, haggle at markets in Ecuador, explore the charming city of Dublin, climb the Great Wall of China, and so much more.
I’m so grateful that studying abroad afforded me these opportunities. Also, thanks to getting out of my comfort zone, I’ve explored even more places independently, like London, Paris, and Tokyo.
If you spend a longer amount of time abroad, like a full semester, you’ll have even more time for traveling and exploring! Many of my friends who spent semesters abroad traveled to a new place every weekend.
There are also programs like Semester at Sea that visit around a dozen countries over the semester, allowing you to experience a host of different places and cultures.
3. Studying abroad is the perfect opportunity to learn a new language.
If language learning is of any interest to you, studying abroad is one of the best ways to brush up on your skills.
Most universities offer study abroad programs for different foreign languages. Some immersive programs are tailored for advanced speakers who have a good grasp of the language already, while others are great for beginners. So, no worries if you aren’t already fluent in another language!
None of my programs were language-focused, but I was able to expand on my novice Spanish skills in Cuba and Ecuador and pick up a bit of Mandarin in China.
Even if you don’t take language classes while abroad, you can definitely start the language learning process during your program.
4. You’ll be able to experience different cultures first-hand.
Have you ever read a book or watched a movie taking place in a different country and thought, “Wow, I’d love to experience this culture for myself!”
By studying abroad, you can!
If a certain country’s culture is appealing to you, why not consider studying abroad there? There is no better way to immerse yourself in a culture than by actually being there.
You’ll have the opportunity to take part in local holidays or ceremonies, experience local traditions, try new foods, meet locals, and learn more about what life is like in that country.
5. Studying abroad allows you to gain unique experience in your field of study.
For most of my study abroad programs, I chose them because they covered unique topics within my field of study.
As a public health major, I was able to learn more about one of the most unique healthcare systems in the world in Cuba and gain practical experience working with a public health-related non-profit in Ecuador.
Though not specifically public health-related, learning about Intercultural Communication in Ireland was helpful in many ways, from collaborating with colleagues from different countries and cultures than my own to understanding different methods for communicating between cultures.
Completing an internship abroad is another option, as is student teaching abroad. I even have friends in professional schools (Physician Assistant, Pharmacy, and Medical schools) who completed some of their required rotations abroad!
Most American universities have dedicated Study Abroad or International Education offices, with advisors who can help find a program that is specifically tailored towards your career interests. If you want to find a study abroad program that is in line with your future career goals, set up a meeting with your school’s office to explore possible programs.
6. Studying abroad is a great resume booster.
Similar to my last point, studying abroad is a great way to boost your resume and potential job prospects.
Every time I applied for a study abroad program or attended an informational session, there was one statement that was echoed: employers love when employees have studied abroad!
Study abroad experience shows that you are able to quickly adapt to new environments and situations, which is a highly sought-after quality in the professional world. Knowing a second language is another impressive skill that can be elevated when studying abroad.
Plus, gaining unique professional experience while abroad (like working on water testing or interning at an international marketing firm) is a huge resume booster that will set you apart from other applicants!
Studying abroad is also a great way to connect with professors and mentors. All of my study abroad programs were taught by professors from my university.
I was able to make deeper connections than I would have in a traditional classroom, and those professors served as wonderful mentors for graduate school. They even wrote letters of recommendation when I applied for my Master’s program!
7. You’ll have the opportunity to make new friends from all over the world!
Making new friends is a huge pro of studying abroad. Thanks to my study abroad experiences, I’ve made a few lifelong friends from all over the world.
Many study abroad programs involve being essentially an exchange student at a foreign university, meaning that you’ll be taking classes alongside local students. This is a great way to meet new people, as there’s a decent chance that you won’t know anyone else there!
All of my programs were official university-sponsored programs, meaning that I went abroad with fellow students and faculty from my school. For most of the programs, I didn’t know any of the other students going, but I came home with a great group of friends.
I was also still able to meet locals – one of the girls I went abroad with is now married to a guy she met in Dublin!
There are so many opportunities to make connections and meet new people while studying abroad, whether those people are locals in the destination you’re studying or fellow students from your home school.
8. You’ll never run out of stories to tell your friends and family.
I am a self-admitted annoying study abroad girl.
I love sharing my stories from studying abroad with my friends, family, co-workers, and really anyone who will listen. That’s why I started this blog!
Studying abroad will give you SO MANY amazing stories to tell, from crazy travel mishaps to incredible experiences. I love telling people about my experience of nearly getting robbed in Ecuador just as much as I love telling them about how people were running a marathon on the Great Wall of China on the day of my visit (seriously, how much crazy does it take to run a marathon on the steep-AF Great Wall of China?!)
If you study abroad, you’ll come home with enough stories from your experience to write a memoir.
Cons of Studying Abroad
With any major decision in life, there will always be some disadvantages. Study abroad included – while the vast majority of experiences surrounding your study abroad journey will likely be positive, there are some downsides, too.
Here are a few of the cons of studying abroad.
1. Studying abroad can be expensive.
Not going to lie, there is definitely a financial burden that can come with studying abroad.
Typically, the fees for your study abroad program will vary depending on the length and type of the program.
Overall, semester-long programs tend to be more costly than short-term programs when you take into account all of the expenses associated with the program: tuition, required program fees, airfare, daily expenses, visas, etc.
However, many universities have agreements with partner schools that keep the tuition fees at the university abroad the same as what you’d be paying for tuition at your home school. With programs like these, your expenses for studying abroad might not be significantly more than staying home!
Sometimes, tuition at schools abroad is even less than at your home school. I could’ve spent an entire semester in Quito, Ecuador for half of what I paid in the USA.
In most cases, you can also apply any scholarships or financial aid that you receive to your study abroad program.
Short-term programs, while cheaper than semester-long ones, can often have a higher financial burden than semester-long programs.
My Dublin study abroad program was for two weeks over the summer, and I paid over $7000 after scholarships. I could have studied for a semester for cheaper because I would have been able to apply my regular scholarships and financial aid towards the tuition for the semester.
I don’t regret doing that program, but I do wish that I had done more research into financial aid and scholarships. There were fewer options available since it was a short-term program, but I likely could have knocked a few thousand dollars off the cost had I applied for more scholarships.
Speaking of scholarships, there are often study abroad scholarships offered by universities to specifically assist with study abroad costs. Check with your university’s study abroad office for more details!
Also, once you’re abroad, simply being a student can save you money on things like museum admission fees, restaurants, and more! Make sure to bring along your student ID and apply for an ISIC (International Student Identity Card) before you leave home!
2. Depending on your degree, it may be hard to fulfill degree requirements while studying abroad.
Some degrees, especially those in STEM, have a strict schedule of classes that must be taken at certain times in order to graduate on time.
Because of this, many students may feel that studying abroad isn’t an option for them, since it could make it harder to meet requirements in order to graduate on time.
If this sounds like the case for you, I highly recommend meeting with a study abroad advisor at your university as well as your academic advisor to go over possible study abroad options.
While a semester-long program might not work for you, summer or winter programs could be perfect! My university even had specific summer programs designed for majors with a strict course load, like Engineering and Nursing.
Another option is to look into taking your core classes abroad. Studying abroad early in your college career can allow you to knock these required classes out, and it is typically easy to find equivalents for those core classes.
Need an art class? What’s better than taking an art class in Florence, Italy? Required to take an English class? Why not take English lit in London?
3. Adjusting to a new culture while taking classes can be difficult.
Culture shock is a real thing, and having to take classes while experiencing culture shock can be difficult.
It can manifest in many different ways, such as feeling overwhelmed, homesickness, or even depression.
It’s totally normal to feel culture shock when experiencing a culture that’s different from your own. When I first landed in Havana, Cuba, I was immediately overwhelmed. The sights, smells, and foods were so different than anything I had ever experienced before – and I was ready to go home soon after I arrived.
Things changed though. I slowly became acclimated and soon, the excitement of experiencing the unknown was way higher than the shock of experiencing such a different place. By the end of my time there, I didn’t want to leave!
If culture shock hits you while studying abroad, don’t stress. Here are a few ways to overcome culture shock:
- Give yourself time to adjust. It takes time to get used to a new culture, so don’t expect to feel comfortable right away. If you need to spend some time doing activities that are comfortable to you, like watching Netflix in bed, do it. But don’t do it for too long, because there is an amazing destination out there that’s ready to be explored.
- Learn about the culture before you go. This is especially important if you’re traveling somewhere that’s significantly different culturally from your home. Research some of the local customs so that you know what to expect when you arrive.
- Be open-minded. Don’t expect everything to be the same as it is at home. Be open to new experiences and you’ll find that studying abroad is an amazing opportunity to learn and grow!
4. Language barriers can be tricky.
Planning on studying abroad in a country that speaks a language you don’t know?
Language barriers can be tricky when studying abroad. They can make everything harder, from big things like understanding what you’re learning in class to small things like ordering at a coffee shop.
The best way you can prepare for language barriers is to do a bit of language learning before leaving home. You don’t have to be fluent (or anywhere close), but learning a few key phrases can make a world of a difference.
For starters, learning basic greetings (like hello and goodbye), how to ask “Do you speak English?”, how to order at a restaurant, and how to ask where the bathroom is makes for a good start.
I also recommend learning food words, like words for different meats and vegetables. Being able to know what you’re ordering when looking at a foreign menu makes a huge difference! It’s also really helpful if you have any food allergies so that you can alert the waitstaff before ordering.
5. Homesickness happens.
People love to say that it won’t happen to them. Me included – I swore up and down that I wouldn’t get homesick while studying abroad. They were all short term programs. Surely I could handle being away for a couple of weeks, right?
Spoiler alert: I was wrong.
Homesickness can manifest in a lot of ways. Sometimes you might miss people, like your family, friends, or your dog. Other times, you might miss comforts from home, like your bed. And sometimes, you miss random things like your favorite Mexican restaurant.
If you find yourself feeling homesick, make a list of things that make you feel at home. This could be things like your favorite foods, movies, or activities. Try to find local equivalents so you can still enjoy these things while you’re away.
When I was missing Mexican food in Ecuador, I went to a Mexican restaurant in Quito. It wasn’t as good as my favorite spot back home, but eating some of the similar flavors was comforting.
And if you find yourself missing your family or your bestie, carve out some time to Facetime them and show them what you’re up to. Trust me, your mom would LOVE it if you Facetimed her with a view of the Eiffel Tower or Big Ben!
6. If you study abroad, you might feel like you’re missing out on traditional college experiences.
When I asked some of my friends why they didn’t study abroad, there was an answer that was common among all of them.
They were afraid that they’d miss out on common US college experiences like going to football and basketball games or attending frat parties.
Sure, if you’re spending a full semester abroad, you might miss out on some of these things for a semester.
But, if you just spend one semester abroad, you’ll still have around 7 more to get all of those traditional college experiences in!
Plus, what sounds more fun – attending a frat party back home or bar hopping in Europe? I think you know the answer!
Overall Study Abroad Pros and Cons
As you can see, there are both pros and cons to studying abroad. However, even for the disadvantages, there are work-arounds and ways to manage.
Studying abroad was the best thing I could have ever done, and I’m a firm believer that any college student who has the ability should do it.
Thanks to studying abroad, I’ve become a much more confident and culturally competent student, traveler, and now, a working professional.
Making the decision to study abroad is a big one, but it can pay off big time in the future.
Hopefully, I’ve inspired you to study abroad and expand your horizons as a college student!
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