Going abroad won’t solve all your problems. Several people want to go overseas for several reasons; if you must go out, be sure you are going for the right reasons.
Yes, there are wrong reasons for studying abroad. You should know that a foreign certificate is not a solution to all of life’s problems; it may actually be the beginning of several new problems. And yes, you heard me right. Going abroad won’t solve all your problems.
So, don’t go abroad thinking the moment you get out there, all your problems are solved. Being a foreigner is tough and being away from friends and family is challenging. Racism is real, and it comes in various forms. It may be open and direct, where people are openly hostile to you because you are a foreigner, or it could be subtle; where your chances and opportunities are hinged on several factors that you have no control over.
And just so you know, the fact that you studied in a foreign country does not guarantee that employers there will be kind to you. In many cases, institutionalized racism will work against you where immigration policies are designed to frustrate your best efforts. And don’t forget that you will be dealing with many educated illiterates (they are the worst) who know nothing about your ‘type’, other than the lies they have been fed by the media. You may find them ever-ready to close doors in your face multiple times.
Two more things you should know.
One. In many cases, when you go to study abroad, your country’s currency is usually lower in value than that of your country of study. What that means is that, the ‘huge’ amount of money you have may mean little or nothing now; and you may discover that an amount that a whole family lives on back home is not enough for you to buy grocery or pay utilities. So, even if you work while studying, it does not mean you will live in luxury.
Secondly, you should consider your health status. Different countries have different kinds of conditions, and diseases that afflict the dwellers. Those may affect a foreigner more adversely. If your country of origin is in a temperate region where all-year round temperatures goes above 30℃, and you’re moving to a country where temperatures can go far below 0℃, you should think very well about your coping mechanisms. People have gone into depression in such cases, and there have been cases of deaths too.
Going abroad is good for you if you have very thick skin and you can manage those challenges and more, or if you possess some outstanding skills that can make you indispensable. Studying abroad has a lot of advantages; it expands your view of the world and grows your mind. Because you get to meet different kinds of people, who may live, and sometimes, believe differently from you, you will begin to understand that the world does not begin and end in your village. That is an ingredient for successfully navigating the global world of the twenty-first century. Going abroad can expand your network tremendously; if you do not take relationships for granted, that is. It can help you to develop an appreciation for diversity. And if it is among the things you are hoping for, studying abroad can be the leverage you need for acquiring foreign work experience, getting permanent residency (PR) or additional citizenship.
If your mind is made up, and you believe you have what it takes to survive in a strange land, away from all that is familiar and appreciated, then keep an eye on this page for more authentic and useful content from someone who has been there.
Cheers!