The Benefits of Living Abroad
The Benefits of Living Abroad
https://student.grablingo.com/materials_units/1868
Exercise 1
Vocabulary
overseas
Adverb
ˌoʊvərˈsiːz
to or in a foreign country across the sea or ocean
I often go overseas on business trips.
condition
Noun
kənˈdɪʃən
the circumstances in which people live, work, etc.
Working conditions at my office are quite stressful.
violence
Noun
ˈvaɪələns
behavior that is meant to hurt, kill, or damage
Homeless people are often victims of violence.
sense
Noun
sɛns
a general feeling about or understanding of something
The chef has a good sense of taste.
value
Noun
ˈvæljuː
beliefs about what is important in life and about what is wrong and right
Young people have different values to the older generation.
find oneself
Phrase
faɪnd wənˈself
to learn more about what kind of person you are and what you want in life
In the book, he explains that he found himself through music.
Exercise 2
Article
The Benefits of Living Abroad
Last year, 258 million people lived abroad. In 2017, the countries with the most people living overseas were India, Mexico, and Russia. And the most popular destination countries for people moving abroad were the US, Saudi Arabia, and Germany.
People move abroad for many reasons. Some people leave their home countries for love, or for better jobs and living conditions. Others run away from violence or war.
Businesspeople might hope to make contacts in other countries or improve their communication skills. Students may move abroad to study at a university or language school. And some people just like to have new experiences.
In March 2018, research from Rice University in Houston, Texas, showed that people who lived abroad had a stronger sense of who they were – a clearer “sense of self.”
The study showed that living abroad helped people think about their values and decide what was important to them, instead of believing what their family and friends taught them to believe.
The study also showed that this effect was stronger among people who lived in one foreign country for a long time. The effect was weaker among people who visited many countries for a short time.
So if you want to “find yourself” through travel, put down your tourist guide and look for an apartment!
Exercise 3
Questions
How many people lived abroad in 2017?
What were the most popular destinations for people moving abroad in 2017?
Should you live in many countries for short periods of time if you want to develop a clearer sense of self?
Exercise 4
Discussion
What are your thoughts on the benefits of living abroad?
Have you ever lived overseas? If so, please share your experience. If not, would you like to?
Would you rather live in the US, Saudi Arabia, or Germany? Why?
What do you think you'd miss the most about your country if you moved abroad? Please explain your answer.
What do you make of the claim that people who have lived abroad have a stronger sense of who they are?
Exercise 5
Further Discussion
Is your country home to many foreigners? Why do you think this is the case?
What parts of your culture do you imagine foreigners find hard to get used to? Why?
What do you imagine are the most popular destinations for people from your country who move overseas? Please explain your answer.
If you were to write a tourist guide for your country, what would you include in it? Please explain your answer.
The best way to travel abroad is to live with the locals. - Unknown. Do you agree? Why? Why not?
