5 Benefits of Studying Locally

“Should I study locally or study abroad?”

Admit it, the question above sometimes can cause you a really bad headache, just like any other important decisions you have to make in life.

So as not to waste money and time, you might have already sought tons of suggestions and advice from your friends, teachers, parents and even counsellors.

The chance of exploring foreign culture and meeting a lot of people studying abroad is exciting. But like coins, everything has two faces and studying locally doesn’t mean that you will not get the same quality of education, as well as memorable experience and fun friends as those who are studying abroad.

Here we have listed out five benefits of studying in your own country.  

1. More Affordable Tuition Fee and Living Cost

For a lot of people, especially those whose household income is enough for everyday needs, this could always be the main concern for them when it comes to the decision making regarding studies. Apart from the staggeringly high tuition fees, you must also take into account the living costs as well.

According to universitymalaysia.net, a Malaysian student who wants to major in Art and Business has to spend an average of USD 22,000 (tuition) and USD 13,000 (living cost) per year to study in USA private institutions.

Meanwhile, studying in Malaysian private institutions only costs USD 4,600 (tuition) and USD 4,000 (living cost) per year.

At this point, you might get freaked out by the currency and how much money you have to invest in your higher education. Hence, if you are concerning with the “b-bling, b-bling” and “Cha-ching, cha-ching”, studying domestically may relieve you a bit.

2. Homesickness

The advantage of the proximity to your hometown can always keep the homesickness away from you. Studying locally can mean you’re studying in a different state away from family, but there’s always easy travel options and tickets locally is cheaper so it’ easier to go home.

Imagine if you’re studying abroad and you suddenly get homesick, there really isn’t much you can do other than crying in front of your tablet while Skyping with your family. So if you can’t stand with being apart with your family for a thousand miles, studying locally will serve as an alternative choice for you.

3. Familiar Surrounding

If you’d rather stick to the culture you’ve been immersed in since the day you’re born, studying domestically is always the right option for you.

Yes, it’s true that you still need to adapt to a new environment, especially for those who have to travel to other states or cities to study. However, compared to those who study in foreign countries, it won’t really take you too long to get used to the new environment. And you know what, you don’t have to encounter culture shock as those who are studying abroad do.

4. Familiar Language

If you are not that keen on learning foreign languages or only prefer studying under the environment where people around you speak only the lingo you know and understand, then you will find studying locally beneficial for you. Ordering food, communicating with friends and lecturers, enrolling in a course and such will definitely be easy and familiar.

5. Personal health

Last but not least, this can be a major concern for some people whenever they are thinking about going aboard.

Don’t get us wrong, we are not saying that they’re gonna expose to various types of horrible influenza and danger in other countries, the main point here is about those with underlying illnesses like cardiovascular and respiratory diseases, as well as anaemia specifically, might not be allowed to take flight, according to the site patient.info. Hence, it’s might not be for them to study abroad.