With increased human interconnections and interactions, the world has become a global village. The current reality is that, students can enroll for either full-time or part-time learning in educational institutions miles away as compared to sometimes back when it was cumbersome and difficult. However, this arrangement is not easy as there are accompanying challenges. The key challenges that can be further analyzed are; the cost of tuition, education system, and homesickness.
Cost of Tuition
For those opting to pursue education abroad, they have to put into consideration the cost of tuition fees in comparison with their home country’s cost. The rate of inflation in a country affects the cost of studying in that country. According to Gordon (2008), Americas annual tuition, fees, and room and board for in-state students at four-year public colleges and universities nationwide grew 5.7%, which the increases closely matched the 5.6% overall inflation rate for the fiscal year ending July 2008. Increased global oil prices increases the rate of inflation in a country and this impacts on the cost of living, tuition and transportation to access education abroad. The decline in the stock market of a country also affects the decision to study abroad. This was fronted by Gordon (2008) when he asserted that, depreciation of stocks in stock markets due to the 2008 economic recession, decreased donations to colleges and universities in dire needs of funds. The educational institutions experience funds shortfall and the parents also take a hit as their investments depreciate and thus cannot afford to pay for their children studies expenses.
In addition, there is a practice of charging higher tuition fees for international students than for national students by a majority of institutions, this significantly increases the tuition cost further and creates an obstacle to accessing education abroad in favor citizens a country.
Education System
The education systems of the world are designed to suit the needs of each country, factoring their different ideologies, and provide the home country with the required workforce so as to sustain their economies. The differences in the education system have a direct relationship on the decision of studying abroad as they can act as an obstacle or an encouragement. Students intending to studying abroad undergo rigorous tests be admission. For example, the Test of English to Foreign Learners (TOEFL) is administered in some English speaking countries for students wishing to purse their education and who English is their second language. This is to ensure that those being enrolled can communicate in English and thus conform to their system of education, whose medium of instruction is English. On the other hand, the objects of an education system can be to promote individual or collective achievement. For instance, in comparing the education system of Japan and American, Fiske (1987) observed that the Japanese systems of education goal is to convey knowledge from the teachers to the students and is measured by administering standardized tests to the students. This contributed to the high levels of achievements by students.
On the contrary, the American system is more heterogeneous. This is because; emphasis is put on individualism with tests administered to students varying from one State to another. According to Fiske (1987) the two education systems are different and contradictory. In such a system students will find it difficult and take a considerable amount of time in transitioning from one system of education to another. This has a direct bearing on the decision to study abroad, and if one can transition from one system to another easily without challenges, their duration of study will be shortened considerably as well as the cost incurred.
Homesickness
Homesickness is the actual or intended change from a known environment of close family, friends and familiar objects. During extended stay away from loved ones, at some point, even the hardiest of individuals experience homesickness. The idea of staying away from home from extended periods and in a new environment influences individuals’ decision to study abroad. This decision is usually discussed by parents, lecturers, friends and extended family members prior to taking the plunge of studying abroad and they have considerable influence towards the decision making by the individual. According to Ruggeri (2010), homesickness is one challenge that is almost impossible to avoid mainly because of being far from friends and family. This ultimately influences the choice to pursue education abroad and to those already enrolled might drop out and return home. The cultural shock associated with adjusting to new neighborhoods, ways of doing things and even friends can be overwhelming to some individuals forcing them to stay put in their countries. On the other hand, adventurous individuals who have no problem with extended periods away from home and long for opportunities to explores new places, cultures and customs will opt to study abroad regardless of what their family and friends influence on them.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the cost of tuition, the similarities and differences in the education systems and one’s ability to cope with homesickness have a direct bearing on the decision to study abroad. They can an either be an impediment or a motivation for deciding whether to study abroad or not. The decision though is not only limited to the aforementioned as other factors also have an influence on decision and which can be examined further.
References
Fiske, Edward B. (1987). Education; Comparing The U.S. And Japan. NewYork Times. Viewed on 4th November, 2012 Available at:
< http://www.nytimes.com/1987/01/06/science/education-comparing-the-us-and-japan.html >
Ruggeri, Amanda (2010). Studying Abroad: A Cost Effective Alternative. USnews. Viewed on 4th November, 2012 Available at:
http://www.usnews.com/education/articles/2010/04/15/studying-abroad-a-cost-effective-alternative
Gordon, Larry (2008) Tuition may rise sharply, experts warn. LATimes. Viewed on 4th November, 2012 Available at:
http://articles.latimes.com/2008/oct/30/local/me-tuition30
