Plan this advantages and disadvantages essay about globalisation with the ideas and outline below, write it on a 40-minute timer, then compare it with a band-8 model answer.
You should spend about 40 minutes on this task.
Write about the following topic:
More students are choosing to study at universities abroad rather than in their own countries.
Do the advantages outweigh the disadvantages?
Give reasons for your answer and include any relevant examples from your own knowledge or experience.
Write at least 250 words.
GoPrep wrote this practice question in the style of the exam. It is not an official IELTS question.
Pick two or three points from one or both columns. You do not need all of them, and your own examples score better than memorised ones.
Spend the first few minutes planning, then write.
0 words of 250 minimum
Your answer stays on this page only. Copy it before you leave.
Write your own answer first, then compare: how it answers the exact question, what each paragraph does, and which phrases you could borrow.
An increasing number of students are completing their degrees overseas. In my view, the advantages of studying abroad outweigh the disadvantages for those who can manage the cost.
The most obvious advantage is educational quality. Universities in countries such as the United Kingdom, Canada and Australia often provide better teaching, research facilities and resources than are available in students' home countries, which can improve their future career prospects. Living abroad also develops independence and language ability, as students have to manage money, cook for themselves and speak a foreign language every day. They build networks of friends and professional contacts from around the world, and these can lead to jobs and collaborations long after graduation.
Nevertheless, there are real drawbacks. The first is expense. International students typically pay much higher tuition fees than local ones, and accommodation and travel add to the total, so families sometimes take on heavy debts. Second, being far from family and familiar surroundings can cause homesickness and culture shock, which affect studies and mental health. Some students find it hard to make friends or struggle with a different style of teaching. At a national level, there is also the problem of brain drain. If the best graduates stay overseas after finishing their courses, their home country loses talented professionals it has invested in educating.
However, these problems can be reduced. Scholarships and part-time work ease financial pressure, universities offer support for newcomers, and governments can attract graduates back through attractive job schemes. Many students do return, bringing new skills with them.
In conclusion, studying abroad is costly and can be emotionally difficult, but the academic benefits, personal growth and international contacts make it a worthwhile choice for most students.
| Phrase | Meaning |
|---|---|
| study abroad | go to another country to study |
| culture shock | confusion at a different way of life |
| tuition fees | cost of teaching |
| homesick | missing home |
| international exposure | contact with other countries |
| graduate employability | chances of graduates finding jobs |
Answer random Part 1, 2 and 3 questions on an exam timer.
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