Guten Tag!

Good day my German lovers! German beer, beautiful and friendly people, and the sites Germany has to offer would make Germany an exciting place to study abroad to. Are you still not convinced whether or not you should study abroad? Let’s compare the advantages and disadvantages of studying abroad.

The article Disadvantages of Studying Abroad, published by Ball State University, stated that the primary disadvantage of studying abroad is being away from your family. If you were to study abroad in Germany, you would not be able to be with your family and do normal activities like eating dinner as a family. Not being able to be with your family may make you lonely at times and miss the familiarity of your daily routines. Another disadvantage of studying abroad in Germany would be the culture shock that students have to face and adapt to while living there. The last disadvantage of studying abroad in Germany would be to have to learn how to speak German and having to use it as a primary language on a daily basis.

These disadvantages for studying abroad can actually be seen as advantages for students to study abroad. From personal experience, as a college student who lives over six hours away from home, I understand the struggle of being away from your family. Even though studying abroad takes away students time to spend time with your family, it allows the students to grow and become independent. Communication will definitely be harder due to continental and time differences, but writing letters is a good way to stay connected with family members or even adding a long distance phone plan will help communication become easier. This lack of communication with family can actually be used to explore Germany in its entirety to keep busy without thinking about being home sick. Visiting places like the Berlin Wall, Rugen Island, and other beautiful sites will give students something to write about in their letters to their family about their adventures while abroad.

German Beer

Culture change between Germany and America can actually be seen as an advantage for students because it is a learning experience to see how different parts of the world interact. Philip Anderson and Leigh Lawton, journalists for the Frontiers journal, stated that studying abroad enhances intercultural development which helps students appreciate and gain knowledge about how traditional and cultural values differ from countries. Interacting with people in Germany while studying abroad will be especially easy because while I visited last summer, everyone was friendly and inviting. German people are happy go lucky people who just love to sit in a Pub drinking authentic German beer and having a nice chat. Don’t worry, there is no under-age drinking for college students since the legal drinking age in Germany is eighteen years old.  And trust me; German beer definitely lives up to its expectations.

Having to learn German and use it on an everyday basis may seem like a disadvantage, but it in fact can be beneficial for students. It may be difficult to learn another language, but being fluent in more than one language is impressive to future employers and definitely something to add to your resume. Plus, learning how to speak German in the actual origins of the country is beneficial for students because not only will you practice it regularly but you will be able to excel faster by communicating with people who use it as their primary language.

The disadvantages of studying abroad in Germany can be changed into advantages for students. There are more positive outcomes rather than negative outcomes from studying abroad. Germany is very welcoming with their friendly residents, relaxing chats at the Pub, and beautiful sites to see. Weighing the pros and cons of studying abroad, do you think it is a good idea to study abroad?