Ielts essay: living and studying overseas

Topic: The idea of going overseas for university study is an exciting prospect for many people. But while it may offer some advantages, it is probably better to stay home because of the difficulties a student inevitably encounters living and studying in a different culture. To what extent do you agree or disagree this statement? Give reasons for your answer.

It is every student's desire to study at a good university and experience a new environment. While some students study and live overseas to achieve this, some prefer to study home because of the difficulties of living and studying overseas. In my opinion, one who studies overseas will gain many skills throughout this experience for several reasons.

First, studying at an overseas university gives individuals the opportunity to improve social skills by interacting and communicating with students from different origins and cultures. Compared to the peers studying in the home country, it will be more likely for the one who is living overseas to be successful in adapting himself/herself into new environments and situations in life.

Second, living and studying overseas is an irreplaceable experience when it comes to learn standing on your own feet. One who is living overseas will of course struggle with loneliness, living away from family and friends but those difficulties will turn into valuable experiences in the following steps of life. Moreover, the one will learn living without depending on anyone else.

Also, employers are mostly looking for people who have international and language skills. Becoming successful in this study will give the student an edge in job market. Therefore, one who has studied and lived overseas will become more eligible for the job than his/her peers.

In conclusion, there are many difficulties a student might face when studying and living overseas. However, living and studying overseas gives the individual a new perspective on the subject that is studied or in general life.

255 words.

I tried to finish this essay in 40 minutes. so it might be lacking strong evidence.
I am not sure if i can write 'him/her' or 'himself/herself in an essay. I did not know how to express it when I start a sentence with the subject 'one'.

It's fine to do in writing.


If you start a sentence with "one," stick with "one" (and its variations).

Therefore, one who has studied and lived overseas will be more eligible for the job than one's peers who have not had such experiences .

Thank you Simone
overall, does it seem like an avarage essay or below avarage ?

Btw, there is one more task we have to do inorder to get a good score. It is about describing graph. You know I cant draw the graph here. I think it is to examine student's abitiy to describe figures to people who cannot see it. Would you comment on those if I post here ? Maybe that would be strange.

As you say, it is slight and lacking evidence. Your writing has improved, though. You're making progress.


If you perhaps gave a link to the graph you a describing, we could critique your description.

It's a bad habit to get into. The pronouns "he," "him," and "himself" are still the grammatically correct singular form here, but, as Simone will no doubt vocally protest, can be read as sexist use of language by those ignorant of the etymology of the words and of the nature of gender in language. A compromise is to simply go with the plural form, so that you can correctly use plural pronouns. So,

Compared to their peers who study in their home countries, students who are living overseas will be more successful in adapting themselves to new environments and situations in life.

Thanks both.
I will avoid using those pronouns.