Abstract
There has been a controversy that surrounds the issue of studying abroad. However there have been some opportunities that accompany a person when they study abroad. This paper will analyze strengths, the opportunities, weaknesses and threats (SWOT) associated with students studying abroad. The paper also provides counter arguments for discussions concerning the issue of students taking their studies abroad.
Key terms: studying abroad, studies, scholarships and government
Introduction
Most students in the whole world aspire to take their studies outside their countries (Dwyer, 2004); this is attributed by the belief that life is better outside ones country of origin than home. Quite a number of students who happens to get the opportunity of taking their studies outside their countries are always either facilitated by nongovernmental organizations (NGOs) or the governments bursaries and grants (Dwyer, 2004), a few who are economically stable pays for their expenses. The steps involved for one to fly and starts their studies abroad requires a lot of arrangements. These arrangements include; indentifying the place for accommodation, upkeep money and air travel tickets. Dwyer (2004) further indicates studying outside ones country comes with a series of implications ranging from economic hardships, change of culture and psychological problems to the students, putting into considerations that one do not travel with their friends abroad. This paper analyzes the issues of students sent by the Kuwait government to undertake their studies abroad. The issues to be looked keenly are; the advantages of sending the students to take their studies abroad by the government, courses and careers available, problems associated with studying abroad, qualifications needed, and adoption of new cultural practices associated with studying abroad.
- Advantages of sending students to undertake their studies abroad
Most governments in the developing countries prefer taking some of their exemplary performing students to study in more developed countries (Hackney, 2014) like USA, Germany, Netherlands, Japan and Australia. A country invest in these students by offering the scholarships, stipends and other support in the hope that those students should return to their mother countries and aid in development activities and capacity building through the use of knowledge they have acquire in those foreign countries (Hackney, 2014). Kuwait mostly sends some of their students to the aforementioned countries to study fields like health, technology, and engineering. The government uses the new knowledge from these students to impact the socio-economic and political wellbeing of the country. The government will be required to import fewer technicians to carry out technical tasks like building the infrastructures, since the students who are sent to study abroad brings home the skills. For example, the Kuwait government sends some of their students in countries like Japan and China, these students after studying building technology and other skills, returns home and start helping the government in many development projects.
Hackney (2014) also points out that mobilization of other citizens to benefits from such programs have been witnessed when the returnees come back home. The people will be influenced to put more effort in their education and other activities for them to benefit from such scholarships; this will reduce laziness and increase the country output. Also, those who benefits from the grants bring home new ideas that help the government and other stakeholders in making use of local resources.
However, as seen earlier, those who admire the scholarships outnumbers the available opportunities, therefore, these scholarships are awarded in a very competitive basis. Those students who are dedicated and serious in their education are awarded these Kuwait scholarship programs; this has nurtured and cultivated the spirit of commitment and handwork. In other nations like Saudi Arabia, the government has promoted studies abroad in a big way; they have initiated awarding of scholarships to thousands of students who are interested in studying abroad in every year (Hackney, 2014). In the financial year 2013/14, the Saudi Arabia awarded 165,908 scholarships to students to study abroad. This initiative has worked very well for this country and others like, India, Brazil, China, and Russia in ensuring entrepreneurial advancements once these returnees travel back to their home country. Therefore, the Kuwait government will benefit a lot from this type scholarship provision through development of human capital.
The scholarship program has been identified to be of importance to the host countries too (Hunley, 2010), whereby the hosting government can also take one or few skills from the guests students. Hunley (2010) noted that nations like the United States of America has greatly benefited from these international students from countries and regions such as Saudi Arabia and Africa who brings ideas into the region. Highly creative and competent students from countries like Nigeria, Brazil and China are known to bring big impacts to their countries once they return from studying abroad. The scholarship covers tuition fee, the normal expenses and other stipends, once these students use their money for their day to day upkeep, the economy of the host country is improved, the money may be used in buying laptops, phones, paying rent and travelling to and from their designated intuitions of study, this indicates that host countries also benefits from the international students. A study by Hunley (2010) proved that approximately 20% of the entire raised tuition fee in the American colleges is generated by the international students. Therefore, it is necessary for Kuwait government to lay down some necessary infrastructures and policies that would attract foreign students into their educational institutions. It is also necessary for the Kuwait government to assess the possibility and necessity of the education programs when awarding these precious scholarships.
- Different majors offered to students who study abroad
There are various courses offered to students who are at scholarship in various countries abroad. Students with intentions of securing the scholarship programs should always be conversant with various programs offered in their selected countries (Toncar, 2006). Cases have been reported of students who studies a program for four or five years, only to return home and discover that the courses are not accredited in their home countries, these students end up been unproductive despite wastage of their time and resources. Toncar (2006) further indicates that the choice for the institution for Kuwait students applying for these scholarships should always consider their strength, tastes and aspirations. This was seen in the early 2000s where most Kuwait scholarship beneficiaries preferred tough fields such as medicine, engineering and nursing to other simple majors, despite them been poor in sciences and mathematics. This left many of these students dropping out of the programs abroad since they were unable to handle these technical courses, these cases demonstrated that it is important for one to now their academic strength before applying for those programs through government scholarships. Those selected majors should fall under the current trend and emerging issues (Toncar, 2006). Selecting majors that are in shortage of expertise in one’s home country will help in making them productive in the future. For instance, Kuwait Beau rue of statistics noted that there is a significant shortage psychology expert in the whole country (Toncar, 2006) hence students who go for that field will always be in high demand.
Sarisbury (2018) indicates that those students who study business majors are in a high chance of working in global platforms if they are lucky, hardworking and able to gain network. Business majors are universal, they can be applied anywhere even in ones country of origin. When one studies this course, they get the chance to pursue international business concerns ad interest while engaging in several business cultures, that are helpful both at home and in the host country (Sarisbury, 2018). For example, students can start a small business venture that can grow into an international level, and this would help them to incorporate what they have learnt in the business major into a globally recognized marketing concepts. Therefore, Kuwait students should consider undertaking one of the businesses majors when they are awarded government scholarship.
As indicated earlier, Sarisbury (2018) noted that psychology is in high demand in Kuwait. Therefore this major should be at the top list when students are hunting for government sponsored scholarships. This major is versatile, in that the students undertaking it can venture into various cultures and practices that are relevant to this major. This major is very flexible in that, there is enough time for the students to explore other features of the host country and also consider the variety of its many options when they complete their studies and return to their home countries. Students who chose this major have an open opportunity of studying in one of the universities in Australia where Sigmund Freud; – a great psychologist was born and educated.
Global Public Health
This is a luxurious major that offers employment in big NGOs when studied abroad. The course focus on health issues on a global margin, this gives the students the chance to undertake their research activities on big and international outbreak such the Ebola, HIV/AIDs, and manage illnesses and hygiene in places like sub Saharan Africa and others (Lee, 2012). Those guys who want to satisfy their spirit of adventure to various countries should consider taking this course. When one is interested in venturing into health sector in Kuwait, they should consider taking this course too when awarded the government scholarship.
Advertising, marketing and public relations
Growing passion in communication in business is a major factor that should drive you to take this course. This course is essential in exploring the potentials of international markets. According to Lee (2012), this course offers satisfactions and utility in the field of business studies. This course also facilitates the understanding of the languages to be used to reach maximum audience and targets. Additionally, those innovative minds can use the knowledge acquired in advertising and marketing to identify and explore online ventures. Lee (2012) notes that online ventures are increasing at a great rate, therefore students who are looking for scholarship should look into this field.
Environmental sciences/studies
This major has become famous and marketable due to rise in climate change and global warming. Therefore, quest for solutions to handle changes in climatic conditions are needed. This course can be of high demand to students who study it abroad and return home with skills to sustainably manage the environment (Lee, 2012). In Kuwait, environmental pollution and other degradations are a major challenge to the government and other agencies. Therefore, those who undertake this program are at high demand in Kuwait. Apart from government jobs, environmental scientists are researchers in global conservation and sustainable exploitation of resources.
- Benefits of studying Abroad to individuals
Taking your studies abroad comes with many advantages (Dwyer, 2004). Some of them include;
New cultures
Most students, who are lucky to get the chance of studying outside their countries, travel outside for their very first time. A study by Hackney (2004) established that over 60% of the students visiting the United States of America from their homeland country are doing that for their first time. Most students who move outside their home countries tend to be thrilled by new cultural practices in their host countries. These visitors finds new customs, heritage, food, traditions and social interaction that is different, this gradually change their perspective of the new world. Hackney (2004), indicates that people have a guess of the social cultural alterations they are about to experience once they visit their target country, this is achieved through social media. Before globalization, the discovery of new cultural values when people traveled was fascinating. Hackney (2014) acknowledges that students who study abroad have a deeper insight of other people’s history, culture and heritage.
A chance to explore the world
Most people crave for touring the world and see new places, features and people. Dwyer (2004) acknowledge that one of the major reasons for people to apply for scholarship is to have chance of see the world from a different place away from home. There are new cultures, customs, heritage, new human beings, new terrains, different political structures, wonders, landmarks and many others. Therefore, despite the main goal of learning, one has a good chance of becoming an adventure person and explores new things never seen at home. Staying in one environment from childhood to adulthood can be boredom. Imagine going to pre-school, primary school, high school and university all in one county, it can be boring a lot. Therefore travelling abroad can minimize this kind of monotony. For instance, the Kuwait students travelling to France can see great cities like London, Barcelona and Rome (Dwyer, 2004), all these cities, Kuwaiti students only read them in books. In Switzerland, for example, those who get the chance to study there, witness a country without police, no crime, full democracy and snow almost throughout the year. All these equip the Kuwait students with knowledge which can be put into use when they return home.
Patterns in education system
Different nations practice different forms of education systems (Dwyer, 2004). Taking your studies abroad exposes you to varying education systems that were never seen at home. For example, political science is a universal course, but when a Kuwait enroll for it in USA or the other way round give the student a different perspective and understanding that they may not have acquired at home. Engaging in a country’s education system can review the attitude towards such system, knowing new people, and understanding cultural attributes towards learning. Students are required to learn more since education is the milestone that enables them to undertake their studies abroad (Dwyer, 2004), therefore they should keep a keen interest on a country’s education system. It is necessary to choose the right institution for the scholarship since this will help in reducing the effects of immense change in curriculum.
Improvement in language skills
Studying abroad may increase the possibility if learning one or two languages, (Dwyer, 2004). When one learn several words of another language, interaction and learning becomes very easy between you and the host citizens. In most cases, most institution always orients new students on the language to be used for communication in the learning process. This language is sometimes different with what one knows and understands. Kuwait students who get scholarships to study in China, Korea, Germany and Russia are always required to learn the languages of those nations before embarking into learning their selected programs. It is always a plus for those who understand other languages apart from the ones belonging to their countries.
Friends making
By studying abroad, one has the chances and privileges of making new friends and maintaining an international network. Making new friends is not a mean achievement (Hackney, 2014).through interactions with host students, one learns the aspect of teamwork, cooperation and togetherness. These interactions results in making and maintaining lifetime friends. An understanding of countries and races improves the friendship, often, these relationships and friendships results into marriages, this promotes diversity. Hackney (2014) urges that Kuwait students should always maintain the contacts with the international friends for friendship purposes and networking.
Career growth and opportunities
According to Kuh (2009), when students finish schooling, they return home with new knowledge, skills, culture enrichment, and the willing heart to share what they have learnt abroad. Skills that are acquired abroad are of high value therefore demand. Therefore employers should always consider giving these students an opportunity for career growth and development. Students who have passion for their nations always return back to help in growth of their societies, only a few cases of brain drain have been reported. Kuh (2009) points out that local education s regarded worthy when seeking for employment, this is a challenge to those studying abroad to ensure that their certificates look attractive with good grades for them to secure a chance in the highly competitive job market. Those students who fail to secure the necessary skills while studying abroad have been identified having trouble while trying to secure jobs. Kuwait students therefore should maintain a good network back at home while studying abroad, this will reduce chances of not been employed when they come back.
Admission in graduate school
Most of the employers prefer those with experiences in studying abroad, (Kuh, 2009). There is a big margin between those students who study abroad compared with the students who takes their studies locally in terms of understanding levels, intelligence and diversity. Those students who study abroad are always considered first by the graduate admission boards due to such qualities. Therefore, high chances of securing a scholarship by undergraduate students to undertake their graduate studies abroad are guaranteed.
4.0 Challenges that students studying abroad face.
Taking ones studies out of their country of origin can be accompanied by several problems.
Low amount of cash
According to Toncar (2006), international students face challenges in managing their upkeep funds. This is attributed by differences in exchange rates in various countries, may have loads of cash but when they convert it into some other currencies like pounds and Euros they are left with very little and unmanageable cash. Toncar (2006) further indicates that some students have been reported using their money extravagantly forgetting that the grant money is constant, they won’t be added more than the stipulated budget. For example, Toncar (2006) pointed out that household commodities in Europe are costly as compared to the prices in Kuwait; therefore, failure to take the difference in price into consideration will leave students stranded with little or no cash. Students in these foreign countries are advised to use the available money in a saving way. They should always engage in buying what they necessarily need.
Homesickness
This is a health problem that relate with been away from thins, surrounding and the people a person knows, it can results into stress and other health implications such as autism. A study by Hunley (2010) suggested that about 95% of the students who took their studies away from home suffered loneliness and homesickness in their first semester of study in their respective universities. The fact that a person is far away from home, lack friends, parents who they are used seeing around is a major contributor to homesickness (Hunley, 2010). This case can be dealt with by various actions such as engaging in programs that would enhance making friends in the campus. Alternatively, when a student misses home, they can visit their students’ affairs offices to seek for psychological and mental guidance (Hunley, 2010).
This will deal with the issue of homesickness. A person when they frequently contact their home friends and make fun either through phone calls or social media is also a good way of dealing with boredom. Some students who happen to engage in other curriculum activities such as sports, clubs and other are known to be less affected with homesickness, sport consumes most of the time in training and in the main tournaments, and this will reduce the chances of someone thinking about their home people therefore reducing the level of boredom and homesickness.
Discrimination and Racism
Cases have been reported of some students been discriminated in various institutions of study, this may be due to their race, language or ascent. Lee (2009) point out that these scenarios of abuses on the international students has been reported to occur in countries such as Australia, Asia, USA and Europe. When this happens, students who study in such institution tends to look for people with the same origin to minimize the effects of racial discrimination, students have been spotted walking in groups with purely people of the same origin, for instance, black students have been identified to associate purely with their fellow blacks in most of the United States universities. Racial discrimination has been identified to occur in gaming activities such as basketball, social gathering places like bars and casinos, bus stops. However, in some countries, racial discrimination is a thing of the past. In most education centers, there has been development of rules and regulations against discrimination of any kind inside and around their premises (Lee, 2009); students who are caught discriminating others have suffered punishments such as suspension and expulsion from school. Students from Kuwait, who secure the scholarships to study abroad, should always be present during orientation to learn how they can deal with this issue of discrimination when it occurs (Lee, 2009), this will help in reducing the psychological challenges associated with racial segregation. In most universities, there is always a phone number provided that one can use to report cases of racism and other forms of discrimination.
The urge to live in the foreign nations forever
When students familiarize themselves with almost everything in their country of study, they feel bad leaving such countries and returning to their original home. New friends, new identified cultures, relationships and establishment of smooth environment are some of the factors that make students dislike going back home. When their time of stay has ended in those countries, most student have been reported to be affected psychologically by the fact that they are leaving everything and going back home (Kuh, 2009). In most cases, the universities handling the international students have developed a program that facilitates gradual preparations of students psychologically, physically and emotional when they are about to leave the host countries (Kuh, 2009); this will reduces the incidences of students refusing to go back to their country of origin. These cases have been reported in countries such as United States if America, this is due to more jobs opportunities, established relationships and other factors. Some students also like extending their education in the same universities. Most students are forced to leave since their visas are educational and n most cases expire.
Barriers in language and cultures
Many languages are used for communication in various nations, for instance, China students use Chinese to communicate, the Russia students will use Russian for communication, when these students travel to countries like the United States of America to study, and they are faced with a problem of communicating with other students even though they understand English too. Language barrier is a major problem to many students who study abroad (Sarisbury, 2018). Most students who are faced by the problem communication in Britain and America mostly come from regions such as Africa, Asia, and southern Americans. Further studies by Saribury (2018) indicate that students originating from America who study in regions of Africa and Europe are faced with little or no challenge of communication.
To reduce this challenge, most universities receiving international students have developed programs that ensure such students are trained the basics of the language used for communication in the university. Students have been reported in having difficulties to adopt and accept new foods, dressing codes, the modes of living, and other changes (Sarisbury, 2018). The eating lifestyle for instance, have been known to be a challenge to most international students from countries such as China, Japan, and Korea who study in countries like America, likewise, international students in Japan or China face a big challenge when adapting to eating lifestyles. Cases of students becoming emaciated before adapting to these eating habits have been recorded with several students attracting diseases due to malnourishments. Therefore, international students should try as much as possible to adapt to changes in eating lifestyles.
- Negativity towards taking studies abroad
A study by Kuh (2009) indicates that most people have developed a negative perception of studying abroad. Some of the reasons are discussed below.
Failure to accredit the studied programs
Several courses in Kuwait which have been studied abroad by some students are not accredited by to be legit by the ministry of education. Therefore, after graduation, a student may face difficulties in securing a job using such courses. Some courses offered in some of the universities abroad are not even accredited there; they are just offering the course without the consent of the board of education for making money only, when students elect such courses, they end up suffering after graduation. This has created the fear of undertaking studies abroad arguing that a student may end up losing their precious time and end up been unemployed in the future. Lee (2012) urges that when a student is selected for scholarship to study abroad, they should seek information from the ministry of education of Kuwait to establish the legitimacy of the course they are about to study.
Insecurity issues
Some countries particularly in the Middle East and Asia have recorded long history of terrorism. These terror attacks have also affected students whereby the terrorist had even bombed schools and other institutions of learning. Therefore taking the studies in such regions is dangerous. For instance, a research by Lee (2012), established that over the years, cases of Xenophobic attacking students and foreigners studying in South Africa have been reported. These attacks have been identified to occur in Durban and Soweto. The Xenophobic attacks raised the fear of students who had the interest of studying abroad. For instance, in the year 2016, an international student from America died in North Korea in some unclear way after been arrested by the government. The student was mistaken for an American spy. When he was arrested, information emerged that he may not be a spy; he was released after several months later and thereafter arrived in United States in a coffin. After this incidence, most parents would not like their children to take their studies in North Korea or any other nation with such records. In London, there have been incidences of terrorist attacking the city which has been an international hub for those seeking quality educations in many years, but no one would like the place anymore due to terror attacks (Lee, 2012). All these cases have made many people conclude that studying abroad is a dangerous venture that should be avoided in all means.
Cases of unemployment after studying abroad
A research by Lee (2012) established that one out of two American taking their studies abroad in countries such as Brazil, Germany, India, Russia and Australia, have a chance of acquiring formal employment when they come back from their undergraduate and graduate studies. Lee (2012) also indicates that some states in Africa prefer the students who acquire degrees such as commerce, law and other fields locally to those who acquire them abroad. These reasons have made people develop a bad perspective towards degrees acquired from abroad. They prefer attaining the degrees at home and increase the chances of securing an employment opportunity in their home country.
- Qualifications for studying abroad
The qualifications needed for a student to study abroad differ from one country to the other. GOHP has identified several requirements that are similar and universal in most countries offering education to international students:
Academic standing
Students sorting for scholarships and chances to study abroad are required to produce academic support from their academic advisors and format schools. A letter of approval is also a requirement; this letter is obtained from the representatives of school. The student should also have good results from their former school for them to qualify. Those on probation are required to produce a recommendation letter and an approval for probation from their dean of student affairs in their former school.
For a student to qualify for studies in Australia, America and Europe, they must have attained a GPA of 2.5 and above. In some other countries such as African ones, Asia and India, the eligibility for enrolment is between a GPA of 2.0 to 2.5 and should also meet other stipulated requirements; first, the interested student should have a meeting with their advisors at their home and illustrate the intentions of studying abroad when their GPA is low. Second, the interested student should be accompanied by the academic reps from their regions and present a letter of explanation for endorsements to their wish of studying abroad. Third, letter of recommendation is needed from their former learning institutions. And finally, the student are required to write and present an essay explaining why their GPA is low that the required 2.5 (Dwyer, 2004). The essay should outline ways in which the student will work to improve their grades.
Readiness test
Dwyer (2004) states that not every student who demonstrate the interest to study abroad is eligible, to show readiness the student should;
Clearly demonstrate their readiness to study through proper reasoning for selection of the program of study abroad. Demonstrate intelligence, maturity and stability. The student should also show that that they have the ability and the will to lead a stable and healthy companionship, and also be responsible for the betterment of the institution and other students. Finally, the student must agree with the terms and conditions as stipulated in the agreement forms. These forms always lay down repercussions in case the student does not abide to the rules and regulations governing the running of the institution.
Student conduct when abroad
Review
Students who are expected to undertake their studies abroad are required by their home country and host country to carry themselves in such a manner which debits their maturity and responsibility. For example, those students who damages properties in areas of residence can be forced to pay for the damage or be expelled from those hostels. Most universities have developed some programs that raise the awareness of peaceful coexistence among the local and international students, this encourages smooth learning progress. In some cases, the violation of rules may lead to expulsion and scholarship program revoked.
Disciplinary probations
Those student who had previously committed a crime or broken any rule in their home country are not allowed to undertake their studies abroad particularly when the offence relate to what they want to study in the university abroad. In some instances, a university abroad may consider a student who had previously committed an offence if they appeal and give reasons why they should be permitted to study there. The student gives concrete reasons why they think that the disciplinary probation will not interfere with their studies.
Language
Dwyer (2004) point out that several studies abroad have some set of language requirements depending with the host country. Countries which uses English to communicate requires those applying to study there be conversant with English too. In cases where one does not understand the official language of communication in the country they are planning to undertake their studies, an official language instructor is required before departure to study abroad.
- How students learn new culture when studying abroad
When students take their studies abroad, they get new set of skills about culture (Hunley, 2010). Exposure to different cultural practices to international students helps them in appreciating the diversity of human beings. The new culture discovery is an essential tool that enables the students to identify the role that is played by different cultures in the lives of the owners and people involved. In the employment sector, employers tends to high students who study abroad since they have a sense of appreciation to different culture of the people involved in the organization, they also tend not to be judgmental on other peoples’ culture since they understand and appreciate diversity. According to Hunley (2010), cultural intelligence refers to the ability to understand and interact with people of different cultures with that of yours. Many organization including coca-cola, prefer taking people who have worked in different cultural set up for the managerial positions, they understand how various cultures can affect the outputs therefore work in way that produce results with minimal conflicts. The coca-cola human resource report indicates that studying abroad gives one the capability of supervising in an organization.
Those who study abroad are known to be, confident, flexible, having nice communication skills, good interpersonal skills, adaptable in changes of the situation and good problem solvers. Therefore studying abroad equips a person with good cultural intelligence which is in high demand from the employers. In the working environment soft skills are highly needed, these skills can always be obtained when one study’s abroad (Hunley, 2010), companies may prefer hiring graduates with these skills but with no experience to those local graduates who may have several years of experience. Hackney (2014) indicates that international companies like hiring graduate with these skills which will help the company in penetrating the international market effectively. Better skills in communication always enable the companies to conduct business in areas they have never ventured in. International communication, incorporated with knowledge in cultural diversity for the graduates who take their studies abroad are significant tools that enable them to be marketable in the job prospects. Hackney (2014) indicates that these graduates may not have attained the necessary interaction but their exposure to different cultures may widen their scope in the job market.
- Ways in which students develop their personality when they study abroad
When the students get the chance to study abroad, this not only introduce them to new cultures, lifestyles and religion but it also changes their individual personalities. Several ways changes the student’s personality; first, language skills are improved, for instance, when one study in an institution that uses Chinese as the language of communication, one tends to develop mastery of the language and they begin speaking in eloquence with no effects of vernacular (Hackney, 2014). Interaction with people who use the language increases the confidence when using the language to communicate. Eloquence is believed to change a person’s personality because they become confident. When a person use a new language for the first time, ascent is clearly noted, continuous use of the new language gradually eliminates ascent and therefore the user becomes more confident when using it, this boost self esteem and therefore improvement in personality (Hackney, 2014).
Communication through various cultures has led to globalization; this has made the world to be a small global village (Hackney, 2014). For example, people from china and Japan are working in east Africa and the vice versa, this indicates that different cultural values comes together and share different experiences on socio-economic basis, this promotes personality. Working with people from diverse cultures helps a person to recognize that human challenges are the same despite the difference in cultural backgrounds. Studying abroad widens the persons understanding of their personal responsibility, like, washing clothes, part-time working to raise an extra dollar, study their programs and paying their rent on time, this thereafter eliminates laziness, and overlying on others. Hackney (2014) indicated that by studying abroad, young people tend to make things happen and stops been procrastinators.
- Conclusion
It is apparent to note that, studying abroad has many advantages to students even though some people regard it as a bad thing. This is in terms of their employability, job market demands and in normal life situations. Studying abroad has been analyzed taking into consideration both side of the coin; the strengths and the weaknesses associated with it.
The paper analyzed the reasons why the Kuwait government should consider sending its students abroad by offering them with scholarships. Several courses that are ideal for study through the government scholarship, such as environmental science, psychology, business, public global health among others. Challenges which are faced by students who undertake their studies abroad have been analyzed, they include discrimination, homesickness, and fear of not to be employed among others. For preparation purposes, the paper has fully outlined the necessary requirements needed for a student to be admitted in foreign schools, these requirements includes; a GPA of over 2.5, speaking test, and language test. The paper has also discussed some personality developments associated with studying abroad.
References
Dwyer, M. M., & Peters, C. K. (2004). The benefits of study abroad. Transitions abroad, 37(5), 56-58.
Hackney, K., Boggs, D., Kathawala, Y., & Hayes, J. (2014). Willingness to Study Abroad: An Examination of Kuwaiti Students. Journal of International Education and Leadership, 4(1), n1.
Hunley, H. A. (2010). Students’ functioning while studying abroad: The impact of psychological distress and loneliness. International Journal of Intercultural Relations.
Kuh, G. D. (2009). The national survey of student engagement: Conceptual and empirical foundations. New directions for institutional research, 2009(141), 5-20.
Lee, C. S., Therriault, D. J., & Linderholm, T. (2012). On the cognitive benefits of cultural experience: Exploring the relationship between studying abroad and creative thinking. Applied Cognitive Psychology, 26(5), 768-778.
Salisbury, M. H., Umbach, P. D., Paulsen, M. B., & Pascarella, E. T. (2018). Going global: Understanding the choice process of the intent to study abroad. Research in higher education, 50(2), 119-143.
Toncar, M. F., Reid, J. S., & Anderson, C. E. (2006). Perceptions and preferences of study abroad: Do business students have different needs?.Journal of Teaching in International Business, 17(1-2), 61-80.
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