In today's era of globalized information, the options for studying abroad have become increasingly diverse. Students can choose different paths to study abroad based on their own circumstances and select different countries according to their preferred cultural atmosphere. Opponents might argue that without significant financial resources, one is not qualified to discuss studying abroad. However, the various generous scholarships and 2+2 programs offered by universities today have provided more students with opportunities to study abroad. Therefore, while the disadvantages of studying abroad can be avoided, the benefits are irreplaceable.
This issue is discussed from both individual and national perspectives.
Individual Perspective:
Studying abroad plays a significant role in improving an individual's comprehensive competitiveness, both in terms of hard and soft skills. There are vast differences between foreign countries and one's home country, whether in terms of living environment or personal values. Living in a new environment allows one to experience brand-new customs and appreciate different cultures, which is of great help in broadening one's horizons and enhancing personal capabilities. Furthermore, given the strong dependence of language learning on the environment, studying abroad provides excellent room for improving one's English proficiency. Choosing to study abroad allows for better training of personal abilities. In a foreign land, everything must be solved by oneself—renting an apartment, cooking meals—which makes one more independent. Moreover, by interacting with classmates from all over the world and experiencing the collision of different cultural values, one's emotional intelligence and adversity quotient will be greatly enhanced. The competitiveness in the job market upon returning home is also far higher than that of students who have not studied abroad.
National Perspective:
Since the late 1970s, when Deng Xiaoping, the chief architect of China's reform and opening-up and modernization drive, made the strategic decision to open the country's doors and expand the dispatch of students abroad, study-abroad education has achieved even greater success. It has played a positive role in absorbing and drawing on advanced foreign science, technology, and management experience, cultivating high-level specialized personnel, strengthening scientific research, improving talent quality, and promoting the development of science, education, and the national economy. Since the 1980s, a large number of successful returnees have taken up positions where they can utilize their talents. Facing the dramatic changes in international politics, rapid domestic economic development, and especially the new situation of deepening higher education reform, the government has further adjusted its study-abroad education policies since the late 1980s to promote the healthy development of such education. Today, we can clearly and proudly see that the wise decision made by chief architect Deng Xiaoping was not only the prologue to a long drama, but will also forever shine with the brilliance of extraordinary foresight and decision-making.
For hundreds of years, Western culture has been in a position of strong development. Generally speaking, Western society is scientifically advanced, technologically developed, economically prosperous, leading in academic innovation, and possesses a mature industrial and commercial system. The eastward movement of Western influence is an objective major trend, and it is a global trend for young people from developing countries to study in developed countries. The major trend of economic globalization requires not only the global flow of high-quality talent but also that local talent in any country possess a global vision, which has promoted the trend of educational internationalization. Developed countries attract high-quality talent by attracting international students, while developing countries cultivate talent by encouraging study abroad. Many individuals also hope to cultivate their global competitive qualities through studying abroad. On July 13, 2016, the Ministry of Education's notice on issuing the "Education Action for Promoting the Joint Construction of the Belt and Road" stated that "China will consistently adhere to opening up education to the outside world, deeply integrate into the trend of world education reform and development, and promote the common prosperity of education along the Belt and Road. This is both a need to strengthen mutually beneficial educational cooperation with countries along the route and a need to promote the reform and development of Chinese education."
