Benefits Of Pursuing Online Education Over On-Campus Education

Studying abroad is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for many international students. The excitement is endless from visiting a new country and experiencing new cultures & lifestyles to gaining a world-class education. However, it is not always easy for every student to get a chance to study abroad. And with recent global uncertainties, many students find it difficult to travel abroad for education.

Interestingly, these days, universities are coming up with many flexible programs that allow students to study from the comfort of their homes in their home country. This means they can now obtain foreign degrees without leaving their country.

It is completely your choice whether you want to pursue online remote learning or experience on-campus education or a combination of both, depending on your situation. In this post, we will discuss the advantages and disadvantages of both these options to help you make the right decision.

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What is On-campus Education?

Students usually dream of enrolling for on-campus learning when they start planning to study abroad. On-campus learning is a traditional format of education, available in the majority of universities, and includes in-person classes, face-to-face lectures with teachers and professors, and also living in campus residences.

What are the Key Benefits of on-campus Education? 

Campus education has its own benefits and is mostly preferred by candidates if circumstances are favorable. However, in many cases, many students might find it difficult to sustain. Here we have listed down some of the key benefits of on-campus learning:

• Meeting professors/lecturers on a daily basis.
• You have full access to campus facilities like libraries, computer labs, etc
• Regular face-to-face interaction and exchange of ideas with fellow students and professors
• Face-to-face knowledge sharing and collaborative studies
• Opportunities to meet people from different cultures, and backgrounds, socialize, and make new friends
• You get more choices of degree programs
• Access to campus events, seminars, workshops, and exhibition sessions.
• You follow an organized timetable of classes
• You follow a routine lifestyle, so you are more organized
• Combination of multiple learning methods, e.g. in-person lectures, debates, lab work, group sessions, and practical classes.

What are the Disadvantages of on-Campus Education?

Nothing is absolutely perfect. Though on-campus learning has always been the preferred choice for many, here are some of the drawbacks of studying on campus:

• A rigid study curriculum
• Less flexibility to explore anything outside formal education
• Adjusting your life around fixed study schedules
• Expensive method of studies
• Living in a foreign country
• Living around people with different cultural backgrounds and lifestyles
• Living away from home can lead to homesickness
• Traveling to and from class regularly is tiring many times
• Inaccessible university location makes traveling difficult

What is Online Remote Education?

In recent times, you will see, almost every university is offering online degree programs. Even students are not much concerned about enrolling in them as they are becoming increasingly popular among students too. The evolving communication technology across the world that connects people from different countries into one single loop easily has broken many of the barriers and opened many new opportunities for students in education from across the world.

In online education, lectures, discussions, debates, workshops, and seminars are held virtually. Students can access study materials and notes online and they can submit their assignments too online. Therefore, gaining a university degree without even visiting your college is no more a surprise. You can easily obtain your degree certificate without leaving your house.

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What are the Key Benefits of Online Education? 

Online education has its own advantages. In the last couple of years, online education has become equally beneficial. Earlier online education degrees were not recognized by many companies and universities. But with the evolving format of studies and work environment, online education has carved a place for itself. The biggest advantages of choosing an online degree include,

• You do not have to leave your home or home country
• Gain a world-class education from the comfort of your home
• Tuition fees are comparatively more affordable than on-campus programs
• Flexibility to learn at your convenience
• Can plan your studies without affecting your life
• You can make a balance between work and studies if required
• Access to universities long-distance and international universities if unable to attend in person
• It encourages you to be self-motivated
• You become a better time manager
• No waste of time in traveling to college or university
• Money on traveling is saved
• You have the opportunity to stay back with your family and yet get an international degree

What are the Disadvantages of Online Education?

Nothing is perfect. So, online education also has its own drawbacks. Here are some of the disadvantages of enrolling in an online university degree:

• You study in isolation and may feel left out
• You may develop loneliness and easily get bored while studying
• No face-to-face in-person contact with guides, mentors, and professors
• Lack of practical classes can be damaging
• Limited programs options to choose from
• No access to campus facilities can be monotonous and dull
• You will have to build your own study environment and setup
• You will require to establish your own broadband and computer setup
• No access to campus libraries
• No access to campus seminars and in-person discussions
• No friends and peers around to share knowledge with you

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Online Education or Campus Education, What is Right for You?

The decision of which mode of education and learning you should choose depends on your own choice, expectations, and circumstances.

If your international study dream is about living on campus, meeting new people, learning about a new culture, embracing new things in life, and experimenting with new ideas, then online education is not the right choice for you.

However, if your aim is only on obtaining degrees from a quality international university and you do not possess enough to spend on your travel and living expenses outside your home or home country, then online learning could be the right option for you. Many times, health and family circumstances do not allow you to leave your home. If you want to obtain international degrees, then online options emerge as a great choice.

So, what choice you make completely depends on your plans, dreams, expectations, possibilities, and affordability.

The below options might help your plan in the right direction. Ask yourself these questions to help you make a decision:

• What are your expectations from your personal study abroad?
• What is your budget for studying abroad?
• What program have you planned to study abroad?
• What are your family commitments?
• What is your current position, working or studying?
• What future plans do you have after you complete your studies?
• Do you have any specific job choices?
• Will your studying abroad benefit you in the future?
• Are you physically fit?
• Do you have physically unfit parents at home?
• Do you want to go abroad for studies just because your friend has gone?

If you are still confused about what choice you should make, then it is recommended that you consult an academic advisor or expert education counselor. They will be able to help you make the right decision.

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