What are the Advantages and Disadvantages of Studying Abroad- IELTS Writing Task 2

In IELTS advantages and disadvantages essays, you will be asked to write the benefits and drawbacks of the topic given. You have to be careful that you write the advantages and disadvantages of the topic given and not your opinion about the topic.

To help you to understand this type of essay better, given below is a sample essay with a detailed outline. Along with it, there are two samples and other topics of advantages and disadvantages essays to help you practise during your preparation.

What are the advantages and disadvantages of studying abroad?

Outline

Essay Type

Advantages and Disadvantages Essay

Introduction

Paraphrase the topic sentence using synonyms

Body Paragraphs

Studying abroad has many advantages that include a better learning experience, international exposure and also better employment opportunities.

Studying abroad also has disadvantages like financial obstacles, adapting to a new social environment and also staying away from home for a long time.

Conclusion

Summarize the topic in brief.

Sample Essay

Studying abroad has become much more prevalent in this current day and age than it was before. Today, nearly every student considers studying abroad for higher education, especially for their Master’s degree. Since travelling to a foreign country has become relatively straightforward, people are availing themselves of the best of opportunities. However, there are both pros and cons to studying abroad, making it a challenging decision to take. In the following paragraphs, I will go through the advantages and disadvantages of studying abroad.

The present-day economy is known to be competitive and demanding. Today, if an individual is not decorated with impressive degrees and accolades, they are bound to miss out on various profitable opportunities. Amidst such relentless competition, an individual will inevitably choose to be educated at a reputable academic institution. Since the quality of education is often not superlative in developing countries, people from such nations tend to move abroad for better alternatives. Also, the amount of time a student spends studying abroad and adapting to the foreign environment significantly increases their interpersonal skills and facilitates their overall development.

On the contrary, there are numerous limitations to choosing a foreign university for higher education. First and foremost, we must acknowledge that studying and living abroad is an exceedingly costly affair. Most students have to give up on their ambition of studying abroad due to financial hindrances. Moreover, staying away from one’s family and native place is an onerous ordeal. There are also several cases of discrimination and social exclusion against non-native students, which makes it difficult for such individuals to adopt the lifestyle of the host country.

Finally, I would like to end by saying that, like any other course of action, studying abroad has both benefits and drawbacks. It is upon the individual who needs to weigh their options and make a prudent decision.

Vocabulary

• Prevalent

Meaning: widespread in a particular area or at a particular time.
Eg: There are many social obstacles still prevalent in today’s society.

• Challenging

Meaning: testing one’s abilities; demanding.
Eg: The journey was lengthy and challenging.

• Decorated

Meaning: make (something) look more attractive by adding extra items or images to it.
Eg: The building was decorated with lights during Diwali.

• Accolades

Meaning: an award or privilege granted as a special honour or as an acknowledgement of merit.
Eg: The army officer was presented with numerous accolades.

• Relentless

Meaning: unceasingly intense.
Eg: His relentless efforts finally resulted in his success.

• Superlative

Meaning: of the highest quality or degree.
Eg: She possessed a superlative skill in dancing.

• Exceedingly

Meaning: extremely.
Eg: The Taj Mahal is an exceedingly beautiful monument.

• Hindrances

Meaning: a thing that provides resistance, delay, or obstruction to something or someone.
Eg: There were many hindrances during the execution of the plan.

• Onerous

Meaning: (of a task or responsibility) involving a great deal of effort, trouble, or difficulty.
Eg: The duty of raising a child is an onerous task.

• Prudent

Meaning: acting with or showing care and thought for the future.
Eg: He made a prudent decision in the end.