IELTS General Writing Task 2 — Practice Draft

More and more students are choosing to study at colleges and universities in a foreign country. Do the benefits of studying abroad outweigh the drawbacks?

A Discussion and Opinion Essay
with a Funnel Approach Introduction

It is often claimed that few experiences are more life-changing than studying overseas. In the past, when studying abroad was a privilege of the few, seldom were low-income pupils able to fulfil such a dream. Yet today, seemingly partly due to attractive student loans, it has become a feasible possibility for more and more around the globe. This unique experience, however, does not come without a price.

Homesickness is the term coined to describe the period when newly arrived international students miss their home countries, friends and families so much that it feels as though they were physically sick. Worse, it leads to severe levels of depression in some extreme cases. However, not only is loneliness per se to blame for making overseas student lives miserable, but also the culture gap. That is, some foreign students with distinct cultural background tend not to be able to adapt so easily to their new overseas lives.

On the other hand, once such challenges are outweighed, living abroad might be a horizon-broadening experience. Whilst for some this is often the first time living by themselves, dealing with money or taking responsibilities, for most this is often the first complete immersion in fascinating new cultures, traditions, and cuisines. Regardless, the mere fact of being exposed to such an odd context is often the catalyst to foster their independence and tolerance towards others, ultimately flourishing their personal growth thus.

Ergo, albeit experiences might evidently differ depending on the context, it seems clear to me that once some initial difficulties have been overcome, international students have all the resources to make the most of such experience.