The other day I announced that I would go abroad for further studies right after my college education. My decision evoked the immediate objection of my family： Why？ Why should I borrow a huge sum of money for overseas studies while I might receive the same education at home at relatively low cost？ My answer is： in addition to knowledge， I can gain experience that those who stay at home will never have.

First， experience is the opportunity for the real-life use of foreign languages. While a person can study a foreign language at home， the effect can never be compared with constant use of the language in academic and everyday life. There is no better opportunity to improve second-language skills than living in the country in which it is spoken. Living in English-speaking countries such as America and Australia for several years， for example， my English will be as perfect as native speakers.

Second， living and studying abroad offers me a different perspective of the world. On a university campus， foreign students are likely to encounter their counterparts from different countries and areas and are exposed to different ideas and values. This helps me to have a meaningful understanding of different societies and inevitably sees my own country in a new light.

Third， overseas experience， frustrating and painful as it may be， is helpful. A person going abroad for study often experiences much more difficulty——difficulty in adapting to a new culture and in dealing with all problems alone. Yet， the difficulty， coupled with the frustration brought on by culture shock， is a rewarding experience for one's future life and development of personality.

Although going abroad is expensive and perhaps painful， the payoff is worthwhile. For the benefit is not merely knowledge gained， but the experience desirable in one's personal life.