Merits and demerits of studying abroad through distance learning

As good as distance learning courses are in developed countries, there are also some little disadvantages., although it gives you the same certificate that a normal day-to-day program gives. As a matter of fact, there are many benefits of taking distance learning courses. It is important to know both the advantages and the disadvantages of studying through distance learning method which is why I created this post to help you make decisions you will be happy about in the long term.

Many international students have turned to distance learning courses in recent times, not to mention the rising popularity of distance learning programs in foreign universities and colleges. Needless to say, I have observed some demerits as much as I have seen the merits. I remember taking a short online course one time with the University of Sydney Australia, that was my first taste of online education and I eventually got an offer of place at University of Sydney three years after completing the online course, and am determined to unravel fine details about distance learning courses from my experience.

distance learning courses
Taking distance learning courses. Photo by Annie Spratt on Unsplash

Merits of studying abroad through distance learning

Distance learning courses abroad provide international students with the luxury of learning at their own schedule, learning ability, and comfort. One admirable thing about distance learning courses for international students is the cost it saves. No need to worry about visa costs, air ticket, living expenses in a foreign country, all you get to care about is your tuition, which is relatively affordable compared to regular program, and cost of academic materials which you may be required to buy online from time to time as your course progress. I bought up to 6 academic course materials online when I did mine, and those materials were very helpful because the knowledge in it was more expanded and explained and in the end, a lot simpler to comprehend than most textbooks used in courses in other programs today.

Regardless of your age and location, distance learning eases you of a lot of stress and possible assaults, and amazingly, a coveted international degree in the bag on completion of a course from a foreign university or college. See more benefits of distance learning program in this post.

Demerits of studying abroad through distance learning

Distance learning requires internet connection at optimum performance, am not talking about what is obtainable in many developing countries today which is below average. Keeping engaged with your tutors on online program requires an uninterrupted internet connection and due to it’s unavailability in some developing countries, it makes it hard for international students to keep up with course work as they should. In most developing countries where the internet connection is commendable, the data charges are explosive and sometimes taking distance learning program beyond the reach of people from low income backgrounds, and since it requires internet, international students taking such courses need internet-enabled devices like laptops or smartphones or I-pads to acquire education since that is the only way to go about distance learning programs.

From my online course experience, distance learning gives little room for sharing of ideas or solving other academic problem with your course-mates as there are in regular programs. Many times I found myself, especially at the start of my online course, pondering over problems that would have been collectively handled, although there is social media that has eased communication with people no matter where they are, the feel of solving academic problems and sharing ideas in as well as receiving knowledge from your tutors in class is second to none, making it one of the disadvantages of distance learning course. The good part for me was that I had great tutors and they made life comfortable for me taking online course. I earned a diploma in the end.

Distance learning courses are a decent and convenient way to take higher education abroad, particularly if you lack the financial means of funding your education in top international students destinations like the US, Australia, the UK, or Canada (see how to secure scholarship to study abroad), or you are a working class whose job description doesn’t allow leave of absence or education, distance learning can help you bridge the gap between staying where you are and acquiring higher degree.

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