Pang Shenglong is well aware of the fact that studying abroad might not be a good investment. After all, with the global recession still ongoing, job applicants with a foreign diploma have no edge over their domestically trained peers.
庞胜龙（音译）心里很清楚，出国留学可能并非一项好的投资选择。毕竟全球经济仍在持续衰退，求职时，海外文凭同国内文凭相比，并无优势可言。
But for those already studying abroad and who want to pursue a foreign education, the opportunity to expand their horizons outweighs any financial concerns. Experts say that studying abroad has become a less pragmatic decision in recent years, with students emphasizing their personal development rather than seeing it only as an “investment” in their employability.
但对于那些留学海外以及想要出国进修的学生们而言，开阔眼界所带来的机会好处远远大过经济上的风险。专家表示，近年来，留学的功利性正在下降，学生们更看重个人发展，而不再把留学视为一种提高职场竞争力的“投资”。
“Photos in textbooks can’t give you the feeling of standing under the Eiffel Tower,” said Pang, 24, a postgraduate majoring in civil engineering at the University of Nantes in France.
24岁的庞胜龙是来自法国南特大学土木工程系的研究生，他认为：“教材上的照片无法让你体会亲自站在埃菲尔铁塔下的那种感觉。”
Apart from studying, living in a foreign country is more about seeing the world.
除了学习之外，异国生活还让你有更多的机会看世界。
By traveling to Italy, Switzerland and Denmark during the holidays, Pang said he gained a deeper understanding of European culture.
庞胜龙说，通过去意大利、瑞士和丹麦旅行度假，他对于欧洲文化有了更深的了解。
“Studying abroad can be a life changing experience as you have to deal with everything in a completely new environment,” said Xie Shaoyuan, marketing director of Education International Cooperation Group.
启德教育集团市场总监谢少渊（音译）表示：“留学经历可能会改变你的一生，因为你必须要学会在一个完全陌生的环境里应对一切。”
“By adapting to, communicating with, and understanding a different culture and people, students can renew their attitude toward studying and life, which has a lasting impact on their careers and personal lives,” Xie said.
谢少渊说：“通过适应不同的文化和民族环境，并与之相互交流和了解，，留学生们能够收获一种全新的学习、生活态度，这将对他们的职业生涯与个人生活影响深远。”
Chen Zhe, 22, a senior majoring in finance at the University of Edinburgh, agreed. Chen’s experience of living in the UK and experiencing new cultures, traditions and people made him realize the significance of preserving his own cultural traditions and identity.
22岁的陈哲（音译）是来自爱丁堡大学金融专业的大四学生，他对此表示赞同。生活在英国、接触全新文化、习俗以及结交新朋友，这都令陈哲意识到了保有本民族文化传统和身份的重要性。
“Before I left the cultural environment I was familiar with, I thought some of our holiday traditions were unnecessary,” said Chen. “But by being exposed to so many new traditions, I’ve begun to understand the significance of keeping our own traditions alive.”
他说：“在我离开熟悉的文化环境之前，我认为我们一些传统节日有些多余，但在接触了许多全新的文化习俗之后，我开始理解维护传统文化的重要性。”
Besides traveling and integrating culturally, learning how to study is vital for Liu Chang, 25, a law student from Fudan University who is currently on an exchange year to George Washington University in the US.
来自复旦大学法律系、25岁的刘畅（音译）现正在美国乔治敦大学参加为期一年的交换生项目。对于他而言，除了旅行和融入当地文化之外，学会如何学习也十分关键。
“Apart from what is taught in the classroom, I have also benefited from self-education,” said Liu.
刘畅表示：“除了课堂上学到的东西，我在自学过程中受益良多。”
Since China and the US use different teaching methods, each of which have their own advantages, it is important for students to make the most of their different learning environments and acquire a wide range of knowledge.
由于中美教学方式不同，各有长处；对于学生来说，充分利用不同的学习环境，广泛涉猎知识，这点十分重要。
“I can learn by talking to my Mexican roommates about their country, or by talking about soccer with my British friends,” said Liu. “Studying abroad always offers me chances to learn something new.”
刘畅说：“无论是和墨西哥室友谈论他们的国家，还是和英国朋友谈论足球，我都能有所收获。出国留学为我提供了一次学习新知识的机会。”
Xie thinks that in terms of the investment, studying abroad may not be as financially rewarding as it was a few years ago. But the connections and the new worldview developed through this unique experience will pay off eventually.
谢少渊认为从投资角度来说，留学可能并不像几年前那样，为你带来经济上的回报。但是这一独特经历所带来的人脉以及全新世界观终将令你收获成功。
“Instead of direct financial benefits, the edge of having international experience and a new perspective on life is even more precious,” said Xie.
谢少渊说：“与直接的经济利益相比，海外留学经历以及全新的人生观更为珍贵。”