Writing Feedback / 'Studies abroad and the cultural aspect of the experience' - TOEFL [2]

Many students choose to attend schools or universities outside their home countries. Why do some students study abroad? Use specific reasons and details to explain your answer.

Studying abroad is one very common thing that students do, and they have different reasons for that. I believe that studying abroad has many advantages. Students gain a lot out of the experience personally, academically, and culturally.

First of all, students who study outside their countries can get a lot of experience living in a foreign country. Living in a new country requires a great amount of flexibility and adaptability in one's character. For example, students might face many challenges in the host country. Therefore, they should be able to deal with the obstacles that they may encounter. Overcoming problems teaches the students how to be more mature and self-independence.

One other important factor is the new academic experience that the students can obtain at the institution where they are pursuing their studies. For example, they will get exposed to a different educational system. They will meet new professors and new classmates which makes the academic experience different from that in their home country.

Most important is the cultural aspect of the experience. While living in a foreign country, students can learn a lot about the culture of that country. Furthermore, they can meet different people of the country. They can learn about their way of thinking, their customs and traditions, and way of life. Learning about others' cultures is so important. It contributes in building a new understanding in us of how we see the world. It makes us more open, and willing to accept different ideas and thoughts. Also it educates us about the world we are living in.

In conclusion, studying abroad does not only have advantages, but also can change us in a very positive way. It can influence us in different aspects of life.

Writing Feedback / 'doing things we don't enjoy' - TOEFL Essay [3]

Do you agree or disagree with the following statement: People should sometimes do things that they do not enjoy doing. Use specific reasons and details to support your answer.

We often find ourselves doing things we don't enjoy. Not because we want to, but because we are obligated to. Therefore, I believe that people should do things they don't enjoy for many reasons. First, we don't always have the choice to do the things we like. Second, sometimes the society has its own rules that we need to abide by without complaining. Third, in some situations we need to make concessions to those whom we love even though it does not satisfy us.

First of all, we don't always have the choice in doing what we enjoy to do. Sometimes, the circumstances don't help us to choose what we like. Therefore, we often find ourselves doing what we don't enjoy. For instance, after I graduated from high school, my grades did not qualify me to study the field that I had always liked. Furthermore, I had to select a completely different field of study that fits my grades. Although I did not enjoy my undergraduate studies a lot, I earned a degree at the end.

Second, each society has its own rules that the people need to follow. I myself don't like abiding by some of these rules. In my country, for examples, people can't smoke in their offices. For me it is very hard to achieve without being smoking. In addition, non-smoking while working would change my whole mood. However, I took a governmental job even though it was hard to adapt to the non-smoking situation. I knew that if I wanted to enjoy my cigarettes, I would never get a governmental job.

One more important reason is doing things we don't enjoy to satisfy those whom we love. Personally, I try to be tidy all the time at home in order to make my parents happy. I also visit my aunt whom I don't like just to make them feel I am a good son.

All in all, doing things we don't enjoy can be hard and unpleasant sometimes. However, we need to remember that doing such things might get us personal gains and bring happiness to the people around us.