General Training - Model Answer (Task 2)

Nowadays many students have the opportunity to study for part or all of their courses in foreign countries. While studying abroad brings many benefits to individual students, it also has a number of disadvantages. Do you agree or disagree?

Many universities offer students exchange programmes like Erasmus which allows them to complete a semester abroad.  Others spend their entire student life in another country.

Studying abroad allows a student to come into contact with other cultures and lifestyles making an individual more open-minded.  Being away from family and a familiar environment enables a student to become independent, responsible, gain self-esteem, become confident and assertive, and to learn other skills such as cooking. Strengthening ones foreign language skills is another benefit.  All these skills and positive personality traits can be useful in the workplace too.

On the other hand, some students may not adapt very well far from home.  They may suffer from loneliness or experience a culture shock.  Dealing with unfamiliar situations alone may be overwhealming for them and they may become withdrawn or depressed.  Some others may use their new found freedom to squander their parents' life savings on shopping, recreational activities or drugs.

In my opinion, students stand to benefit greatly from being educated in another country.  It is a unique experience they will treasure and look back at in later life and it will allow them to grow as human beings.  I believe there are very few people who do not benifit from their time abroad.

Question taken from Cambridge Instant IELTS p.115