What Are The Challenges To Study Abroad

In recent years, a growing number of parents may send their children to study abroad. The university of Cambridge had nearly 1,000 Chinese students, who study in undergraduate and postgraduate degrees in engineering, sciences, mathematics, international relations, economics and finance, and administration (BBC news, 2011). These parents believe that their children may become more autonomous, because their children have to look after themselves and manage their finance (Topuniversities, 2014). However, there are some difficulties, such as foreign language problems, teaching methodologies, exam and social network need to be faced, when they study abroad for the first time. This essay will discuss these challenges and then give suggestions for

For example, In the Western countries, teachers are likely to suggest students to study in a group (Samuelowicz, 1987). However, in Asia, teachers are not focus on teamwork, they prefer to require students to carry out their own work. In addition, teachers demand students write down notes as what they have said and recorded the board. However, in Western countries, students gain knowledge from seminars or team discussions. It means that eastern students may be accustomed to gain knowledge as passive recipients in class. It seems that overseas students have less experience to study in groups and gain knowledge positively (Samuelowicz 1987). Moreover, Asian students usually take advantage of the ability of observation, imitation, repetition, recitation and other related methods to study new knowledge (Henry J, 1976). Therefor, it is probably difficult for Asian students to be united in action as local students at the beginning of study in Western universities. Another difference is that in Western education, teachers usually provide a list of reference books or videos related classes to help students preview what they will learn. In comparison, Asian teachers rarely give students academic materials to prepare their lessons. (Samuelowicz 1987) Indicate students are unusual to be afforded some extracurricular materials from the school or teachers,

In Asian countries, students are not obliged to make presentations in their studies. However, in Western countries, the presentation is regarded as a measure to examine what students have studied or whether they have prepared for the courses (Stephen Lin and Molly Yang, 2009). Asian students possibly feel nervous during the presentation. It means that they are scared of making mistakes and being under the spotlight. In addition, they care what other students have thought about their presentation. For instance, when they offer the idea or introduce the topic, they expect to attract others’ attention and obtain a sense of identity. When they make mistakes they would worry to be considered "very stupid" for their audience. In some situations, presentation anxiety may have some serious impacts on the health of international students, such as dizziness, stomachache and rapid breathing. (King’s college London).

King’s college London points out that international students may breathe deeply to make themselves relax before doing the presentation. Furthermore, students are encouraged to take advantage of some psychological suggestions, i.e. “I can do it better” and “Do not worry about them”. Moreover, students are suggested to reward themselves and improve themselves in the further rather than think over about their mistakes after the presentation (King’s college