Main image via Shutterstock
Whether you’re a student or the parent of one, the idea of packing your life – or seeing your child pack theirs – into a suitcase, and leaving the comfort and safety of home can be very daunting. But though farewells are difficult, sometimes it’s the very thing that’ll prepare you for the ups and downs of life.
via GIPHY
Here are 5 benefits that every student gain from studying abroad…
#1 You learn to think before you act
via GIPHY
Being in a foreign country and possibly on your own, means you’re living life without a safety net, putting you in the best situation to learn not to be reckless in every aspect of your life from your finances to your social interactions.
#2 You learn to take care of yourself
via GIPHY
It’s easy to put your health in the backseat as you pour all your time and attention towards achieving academical success. But fall sick once or twice without mum’s heart-warming chicken soup to soothe you, and this experience will also quickly teach you the importance of looking after yourself and let you gain a new appreciation for the unconditional care that has been given to you back home.
#3 You learn a new language and culture, and learn to appreciate yours in the process
via GIPHY
Forget expensive foreign language classes! Learning institutions attract people from all corners of the world, making them the best place to meet new people, learn or master a language, as well as learn about a different culture.
Chances are the new people you meet will want to know about your language and culture as well, and through the stories you tell hopefully, you not only impress your audience but gain an appreciation for your own culture.
#4 You pick-up new interests
via GIPHY
It may sound like we’re just making up excuses not to go outside, but the scorching heat and heavy downpour that we experience in Malaysia is just not very conducive for certain activities. Plus, the lack of venues and experienced instructors don’t help.
But being overseas changes all that, and you’ll be presented with the opportunity to indulge in activities you otherwise couldn’t back home. Take Edinburgh for example, sports such as rugby, ice hockey, golf, and roller derby rank among the most played in this hilly capital of Scotland.
#5 You widen your world a little bit more
via GIPHY
Studying abroad not only gives you the opportunity to visit a country or city that you wouldn’t otherwise visit, but also widens your world perspective and give you an international exposure that will give you an advantage in any career you pursue.
Thus, choosing a higher learning institution that understands this and will afford you the opportunity to widen your world is important.
With heritage dating back to 1821, Heriot-Watt University has developed an established reputation as one of the world’s leading universities and a first-class research-led institution. In celebration of their recent International University of the Year award by The Times/Sunday Times, Heriot-Watt University Malaysia is granting students who enrol in their January 2018 intake a free two-week study trip to their Edinburgh, UK campus.
Students who want to continue pursuing their education abroad can then opt in to their Go Global programme that presents students with the unique opportunity to study for one semester or more at campuses in Scotland and Dubai. The Go Global programme ensures a seamless transfer, allowing students to continue the same course with the same course leader to maintain the consistency and quality of study.