More and more students are choosing to study at colleges and universities in a foreign country.

Practice this IELTS Writing Task 2 question on IELTSX. More and more students are choosing to study at colleges and universities in a foreign country.

More and more students choosing to study at colleges and universities in foreign country benefits outweigh drawbacks - IELTS Writing Task 2

You should spend about 40 minutes on this task.

Do the benefits of studying abroad outweigh the drawbacks?

Write at least 250 words.

A student's answer to this task, and the feedback on it

Written by an IELTSX user under exam conditions and published unedited and anonymously. Band 8 ยท 331 words.

There has been considerable debate among members of society over whether the advantages of studying abroad outweigh its drawbacks , as an increasing number of students have a strong desire to study at colleges and higher educational institutions in foreign countries. While many individuals hold the belief that being educated overseas has many drawbacks, such as homesickness and culture shock, I concur with those who assert that benefits -- getting first-hand experience, shaping improved character, broadening horizons and forming solid cultural insights -- definitely outweigh the possible disadvantages.

On the one hand, education overseas might offer a wealth of opportunities. Firstly, by interacting with new people, students develop greater tolerance, which is a crucial factor in successful communication. Secondly, students can enhance their background knowledge and cultural awareness through first-hand experience as they absorb a vast amount of information about the culture and national identity of foreign countries.

In addition, living and studying abroad promotes personal growth that acts as a key factor in becoming more open-minded and independent. A striking example of this is that while living in a foreign country people may realize that the burden of responsibility rests solely on their shoulders; subsequently it can help build their character, particularly persistence, resilience and self-reliance. Moreover, students are more likely to achieve their career goals and enjoy a higher standard of living.

Admittedly, studying in a foreign country may have some disadvantages. One of the prominent drawbacks of this is that students studying overseas face culture shock, which might exacerbate challenges of daily life. Furthermore, homesickness can lead to feelings of isolation and loneliness; however, this problem can be tackled through video calls or once students adapt to their new environment. Hence, the disadvantages do not outweigh the benefits.

All things considered, although studying overseas has some downsides, particularly difficulties adapting to a new culture, I believe that its upsides -- namely the development of a strong personality and the provision of enhanced career opportunities, truly outweigh its cons.

Examiner feedback

This is an exceptionally strong response that demonstrates a high level of linguistic control and logical organization. The essay addresses the prompt comprehensively, balancing the benefits of international education against its challenges while maintaining a clear, sophisticated stance.

Task Response - 8

- Sufficiently addresses all parts of the task by discussing both advantages and disadvantages. - Presents a well-developed position that is consistent throughout the essay. - Ideas are extended and supported with logical reasoning, though a specific real-world example (e.g., a specific country or study) could have elevated it further.

Coherence & Cohesion - 8

- Information is sequenced logically with a clear progression from the introduction to the conclusion. - Paragraphing is used sufficiently and appropriately, with each body paragraph having a clear central topic. - Cohesive devices like 'On the one hand', 'In addition', and 'Admittedly' are used effectively to guide the reader through the argument.

Lexical Resource - 8

- Uses a wide range of vocabulary fluently (e.g., 'exacerbate', 'resilience', 'burden of responsibility'). - Skillful use of uncommon lexical items and precise collocations (e.g., 'solid cultural insights', 'national identity'). - Rare errors in word choice; the tone remains academic and sophisticated throughout.

Grammatical Range & Accuracy - 8

- Uses a wide range of structures, including complex sentences with multiple clauses. - The majority of sentences are error-free; punctuation is used accurately to separate clauses. - Occasional minor slips (e.g., 'while living in a foreign country people may realize') do not detract from the overall high quality.

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