Going overseas for university study is an exciting prospect for many   people. But while it may offer some advantages, it is probably better to stay   home because of the difficulties a student inevitably encounters living and   studying in a different culture.

　　To what extent do you agree or disagree with this statement?

　　Model Answer:

　　There is no doubt that going to study in a foreign country, with its   different language and culture, can be a frustrating and sometimes painful   experience. But while overseas study has its drawbacks, the difficulties are far   outweighed by the advantages. Indeed, people who go abroad for study open   themselves up to experiences that those who stay at home will never have.

　　The most obvious advantage to overseas university study is real-life use of   a different language. While a person can study a foreign language in his or her   own country, it cannot compare with constant use of the language in academic and   everyday life. There is no better opportunity to improve second-language skills   than living in the country in which it is spoken. Moreover, having used the   language during one's studies offers a distinct advantage when one is applying   for jobs back home that require the language.

　　On a university campus, the foreign student is not alone in having come   from far away. He or she will likely encounter many others from overseas and it   is possible to make friends from all around the world. This is not only exciting   on a social level, but could lead to important overseas contacts in later   professional life.

　　Finally, living and studying abroad offers one a new and different   perspective of the world and, perhaps most important, of one's own country. Once   beyond the initial shock of being in a new culture, the student slowly begins to   get a meaningful understanding of the host society. On returning home, one   inevitably sees one's own country in a new, often more appreciative, light.

　　In conclusion, while any anxiety about going overseas for university study   is certainly understandable, it is important to remember that the benefits   offered by the experience make it well worthwhile.