Picture this: You have been studying and practicing English for quite some time now, but you still feel like your knowledge and skills are not enough. You’ve tried every option available in your country, from the best schools to endless tutor sessions, still, you feel like you could do more. What should be the best thing for you to do next? Consider studying English abroad!
Why? Simply because studying abroad might possibly be the best experience you will ever have in your life. How would that happen? I’ve listed down reasons why studying and living abroad for a year or two can help you achieve and even surpass your English language goals.
You’ll meet foreign friends
Living abroad will require you to meet and interact with people from different walks of life. This experience will lead to new friendships, new bonds, new knowledge, and new memories. As it’s very likely for you to go on a trip to study abroad alone, there will surely be days when you’ll feel homesick and miss your family and friends at home, but it’s all just part of the experience. No need to worry about feeling lonely in a foreign country because there are plenty of smiley faces waiting for you to just smile back. Open yourself to the idea of meeting new people and create new friendships that can last a lifetime. The bond you will create with the people you meet abroad is one of a kind, because you share the same sentiments of finding a home away from home. So, gather up your best smile and get ready to find new and interesting people.
You’ll be immersed in a new culture
Every country has its own unique culture that includes food, clothing, language, people, and history. By spending a year or more in a foreign country, you will be able to take a deeper look and be immersed in that country’s culture. Discover their rich history by visiting important landmarks that play a significant role in what they are today, taste the food of their people and be surprised by the different flavors they offer, get to know their traditions and beliefs and expand your mind. Living abroad goes beyond just learning a new language, it’s learning and understanding a new country’s life and culture.
Your language skills will be 10x better because you’ll interact with native and non-native speakers
Of course, living abroad will definitely put you in a place where you’ll be able to practice and exercise your English skills daily. Not only that, but you will also be able to converse and interact with native English speakers which will truly help you up your English game. In addition to communicating with mostly native speakers, you will also be exposed to people who are non-native speakers learning English just like you. Countries that offer programs for English as a second language are a host to a very diverse set of students. They cater to students that come from Asia, the Middle East, Europe, Africa, and South America, so there’s a big chance that you’ll be sharing classrooms and dorms with people from these countries. Talking and listening to both native and non-native speakers will definitely improve your English skills as you will be exposed and be familiar with different accents, pronunciations, enunciations, and a chance to expand your vocabulary.
You’ll travel to places you’ve never been before
Living abroad means traveling and exploring and going to places you’ve never set your feet in. Just because you went to study abroad doesn’t mean that all you’re going to do is study and bury your head under books 24/7, of course not. You also have to take a breather and relax for a little bit, do some exploring and looking around. Check for the best and loveliest tourist spots offered by your host country and make a goal of visiting all of them before you leave. What’s even better is if you ask locals about the lowkey places that are worth visiting, this way, you’ll be free from the hustle and bustle of tourists and can surely enjoy your destinations at a leisurely pace. Pack your backpacks and your maps because there’s an adventure waiting for you on the other side of the world.
You’ll open up your eyes, heart, and mind to the world
To live abroad in a foreign country you’ve never been before is an experience that will change your life—if you allow it. As you set foot in a land that is new to you, you are going to be presented with two choices: be close-minded and refuse to know their culture and way of life or be open-minded and embrace the differences and celebrate the similarities you find, I hope you choose the latter. Open your eyes, heart, and mind to the life offered by your host country. Get to know them, dig deep into their culture and traditions, understand them better by learning their language, adjust yourself as needed, and after that you’ll see that you have become a better person. A person who is understanding, more knowledgeable, more fluent, and open to the world. Just like what Aladdin said, “I can show you the world, shining, shimmering, splendid.” You just have to open yourself up and have the courage to ride the magic carpet.
You should never pass up an opportunity to live abroad, whether to work or to study because not everyone is given that opportunity and living in a different country basically means living in a whole new world. Don’t let that chance slip away from you.
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