Read the following information on studying abroad and discuss in groups of four its advantages and disadvantages

There are both pluses and minuses in studying abroad and it’s up to you to decide.

J Studying abroad during a summer, quarter, semester, or year will give you a fresh perspective on yourself, and the world.

J By living in a foreign country you will constantly challenge yourself in many new and exciting ways and gain a level of independence you never knew you had.

J Studying abroad will expose you to diverse people and viewpoints, and you will get to experience a different way of life apart from yours in your country.

J You will be immersed in the language, culture, and people of your host country and will get to experience life as a resident, not as a mere tourist.

J Today’s competitive job market requires applicants to distinguish themselves, and international education experience is the perfect way to do so. Having international education experience is an incredible resume booster, as it shows prospective employers you are motivated, independent, and generally more qualified.

J Additionally, obtaining foreign language skills can make you eligible for all sorts of jobs that you may have otherwise been unqualified for.

L The main minus is the tuition fee that is rather high in foreign universities. To solve this problem you may either apply for scholarship or grant, or you can take up some part-time job on campus or anywhere else to pay for your studies.
L You should also keep in mind that studying abroad means great deal of self-reliance as you’ll have to make plenty of decisions yourself.

L Most libraries don’t provide all the books needed for studies so be ready to spend about $400 each semester on books and photocopying.

L You will also have to rent an apartment in the dormitory or in the city – and that is also rather expensive.