Increasing numbers of students are choosing to study abroad. To what extent does this trend benefit the students themselves and the countries involved? What are the drawbacks?

Studying abroad has become very common in the

last

few years, especially for young people from countries

such

as China and India. Many

students

and their families clearly consider the experience worth the sacrifices involved. The former often give up friendships when they move abroad; the latter often use their life savings.

Moreover

, many governments are willing to invest huge sums of money in sponsoring their young people to study in universities overseas.

However

,

this

trend has drawbacks as well as benefits for those concerned. One potential drawback is that the instruction international

students

receive may not be relevant to their

home

contexts.

For example

,

students

from developing countries who go to Western countries for teacher training are often taught to use teaching techniques that are suitable for small classes. When they return

home

they are often expected to teach classes of 40 or 50

students

.

Hence

, what they have been trained to do may not be relevant. Another potential drawback is the phenomenon of 'brain drain'. Prior to leaving

home

, they may be fully committed to returning.

Nevertheless

,

students

are often at the stage in their lives when they are forming their most important personal and professional relationships.

Thus

they may choose to remain in the host country on completing their studies.

However

, most international

students

find ways of making the experience work well for themselves and others involved. Most return

home

, enriched by new friendships made abroad.

Furthermore

, most find ways of adapting what they have learned to their

home

context. On balance, the drawbacks do not outweigh the benefits.