19.1 Advantages DisadvantagesMA
19.1 Advantages DisadvantagesMA
These days, more and more people are going to other countries for significant
periods of time, either to find a job or to study. There are clearly many benefits
to doing this, but people who live abroad can also face some difficulties.
Give reasons for your answer and include any relevant examples from your own
knowledge or experience.
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MODEL ANSWER
Nowadays, taking a year out to live or study abroad is becoming increasingly popular. For
many people, especially young adults, the chance to spend an extended period of time
overseas is an attractive one. However, there are both pros and cons to deciding to do this.
In this essay, I will discuss some of the reasons why moving abroad is so popular and
some of the challenges to be overcome.
Let's begin by looking at the advantages of moving away. One of the main positives of
heading overseas is that it broadens your horizons. What I mean by this is that you have
the chance to meet people from different cultural backgrounds and learn to cope with
foreign customs and food. This can make you more rounded as a person.
Secondly, moving abroad can lead to a better quality of life. Take British people, for
example. Thousands of people from the UK move to Spain and Australia every year. These
countries have warmer climates and encourage a better work-life balance. In addition, by
living overseas, you can gain qualifications and language skills, which may improve promotion
prospects on your return.
Turning to the other side of the argument, culture shock is a major problem. Many people
who take a year out find it hard to cope with the language barrier, the food and general
cultural differences. This often leads to homesickness and in some cases a sense of
isolation. Another issue is that it can be difficult to start a new life from scratch. In
other words, when you move abroad, you have to make new friends and find your place in
the community. This process takes time and can be especially challenging if there is also a
language barrier to deal with.
All things considered, starting life in a foreign country is never easy. You need to weigh up
the pros of the better lifestyle, weather and so on, and the cons of culture shock and
language barrier. Personally, I believe the benefits in terms of personal growth eventually
outweigh any negatives.
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