IELTS Writing Task 2

Leaving your country to live or study abroad is probably the dream of many students these days, as it has numerous benefits; but when it’s time to decide, it may be a hard decision as leaving home also has its downsides.

Living or studying abroad gives students a wide range of possibilities. Students could discover many cultures that differ from their own, which broadens their horizon. Students will be able to learn about the unique customs there or even experience it with the local people, or try out the local food. They could enlarge their friend-circle by bonding more with the foreigners. This would give them brand new experience in which they may not have collected in their own culture. Living or studying abroad may also give students a better education and better job opportunities. Top universities could provide a better education than those back at home; records of graduating these universities will also give students endless job opportunities.

However, there are also downsides of living or studying abroad. Sometimes, difference between cultures may be a great problem for students. Highly religious countries may have very demanding rules that, if not researched beforehand, could be easily violated by foreigners. Like it or lump it, foreigners may be punished extremely severely for violating these rules. Customs may be different, and you may end up doing something considered fine at home but an offence there. Countries with strict laws may also be a difficulty, and adapting to them may be hard if students are used to the law at home. Also, spending an extended period of time away from home could cause homesickness, for students would not get the same support they used to get back at home.

In conclusion, leaving your country to live or study abroad has both a bright side and a darker side, however, these experiences will both give students a great experience that would be incredibly useful in the long run.