Have you ever considered studying English abroad but never  found the “right time” or the “right motivation” to do so?

Well here we present to you some reasons why you should consider that now is the right time to come and spend some time in England and take an English language course.  We have also listed some things that you should consider before making your final decision.

1- Develop Your Language Skills
There is no better and more effective way to learn a language than to be immersed in a culture where the people speak the language you are learning.  Where else should you to learn English than in England – the home and birthplace of the language.  You’re surrounded by the language on a daily basis and are seeing and hearing it in the proper cultural context.  You have real opportunities to use the language in an authentic environment.  Language learning happens most quickly under these circumstances.

2- A New Culture
A lot of students who choose to study abroad are leaving their home for the first time. When they arrive in their new host country, they are fascinated by certain distinct cultural perspectives.  Cultural differences are more than just differences in language, food, appearances and personal habits.  A person’s culture reflects very deep perceptions, beliefs, and values that influence their way of life and the way that they view the world.  The best way of finding out about another culture is by immersing yourself in it, and you can only do that by living in another country.  Studying abroad is a great opportunity to remain in a country and learn all about it over a longer period of time, so you can experience personally all the cultural differences and come to truly understand where other cultures are coming from.

3- Make Friends from Around the World
One of the biggest benefits of studying abroad is the opportunity to meet new lifelong friends from different backgrounds.  While studying abroad, you will attend a school with a lot of international students who are probably as far from home as you are yourself.  This gives you the opportunity to really get to know them and create lasting relationships with your fellow students.  After the study abroad programme ends, make an effort to stay in contact with your international friends.  You’ll have an extra reason to use the language you have been learning and keep it functioning!  In addition to offering the potential for the development of rewarding personal relationships, getting to know these friends can also provide you with important networking tools later down the road – either for great future trips or as a good basis for developing your international professional network.

4- Become Truly Independent
There is nothing quite like being on your own in a foreign country.  You might find that studying abroad really brings out your independent nature since you have to cope on your own when you’re studying abroad, meaning that you have to be able to look after yourself and sort out your own affairs.  Being in a new place by yourself can be overwhelming at times, and it tests your ability to adapt to diverse situations while being able to problem-solve.  Students who study abroad become explorers of their new nation and really discover the curiosity and excitement that they harbour.  It’s an adventure!

5- Change the Way You Think
Another benefit of studying abroad is the opportunity to discover yourself while gaining an understanding of a different culture.  Students who study abroad return home with new ideas and perspectives about themselves and their own culture.  The experience abroad often challenges you to reconsider your own beliefs and values and in turn it may perhaps strengthen those values or it may cause you to alter or abandon them and embrace new concepts and perceptions.  The encounter with other cultures enables you to see your own culture through new eyes as well as to help you think objectively about yourself and your home country, learn to tolerate differences, and recognize and appreciate diversity.

6- Future Career Opportunities
Through an employer’s eyes, a student who has studied abroad is more likely to be self-motivated, independent, willing to embrace challenges, able to cope with diverse problems and situations and able to fit in when placed in different environments.  In short, you will be seen as being resourceful and having initiative.  Your experience living and studying in a foreign country, navigating another culture and acquiring another language will all set you apart from the majority of other job applicants.

7- See The World
One of the biggest reasons you should consider a study abroad programme is the opportunity to see the world.  By studying abroad, you will experience a brand-new country with incredible new outlooks, customs and activities.  You will also have the opportunity to see and experience new terrains, natural wonders, museums and landmarks of your host nation.  Weekends, excursions and activities allow you to venture out and explore your surroundings: both your immediate and more distant surroundings.  For example, studying in England, you could have the option to travel through various great cities of Europe including Paris, Barcelona, Rome, Lisbon, Berlin, among others.  These wonderful places are right on your doorstep!

It would only be fair to mention some of what you might call disadvantages to studying abroad, such as the fact that just because you are in the country where the language is spoken it doesn’t mean you will magically learn it.

8- You don’t learn a language by Magic
Learning a language whether it be in the country where it is spoken or in your own country takes time and dedication.  In other words, focus and hard work.  However, it will certainly come more easily and faster than if you just studied the language in your home country.

9- It Can Be Hard
You will have some moments when you are going to miss your family and your friends, as well as your favourite food: the sights, sounds, smells, the essence of your home country.  Almost everyone goes through this “culture shock” where you suddenly perceive that everything is different.  However, as with everything in life, this issue goes away in time and you will start to appreciate the differences between the countries and you may even be able to start finding some unexpected similarities.  It’s at this time that you will discover new things about yourself and what you can and cannot handle.

10- It Can Be Expensive
It is true that it requires money to be able to study abroad and since most international students’ visas don’t allow them to work, you may need to have saved up all of the necessary money beforehand.  You may also need to have someone back home that can help support you while you’re abroad.  It’s best to think of the whole experience as an investment in your future study and career path.  It’s an experience that you won’t regret having.

So why study abroad?

11- Life Experience
For most students, this time may be the only opportunity they ever get to travel abroad for a long period of time.  Eventually you will find a job and career, and the opportunity to study abroad may turn out to have been a once in a life time opportunity.  Take this opportunity to travel the world with no commitments, while studying a new language and learning about new cultures.

Studying abroad is an experience unlike any other!