It’s irresponsible to spend $600,000 studying overseas just for the experience

Vietnam leads Southeast Asian countries in the number of students studying abroad, as reported by the 2024 Key Trends in Southeast Asia study from Acumen, an international education consultancy. Despite this, an increasing number of these students face challenges finding work and readjusting to life in Vietnam after their studies.

While some argue that the experience gained from studying abroad is invaluable and will pay off eventually, I contest this viewpoint. Viewing overseas education as an investment, the primary objective should be to obtain returns that justify the initial outlay. If the costs of education cannot be recuperated through subsequent earnings, then the endeavor could be considered a failed investment.

If it’s just for the experience, you can spend much less as a tourist.

Simply put, if the pursuit of overseas education valued at VND15 billion does not lead to commensurate or higher earnings post-graduation, it reflects a disregard for one's own and one's family's financial well-being. At a minimum, individuals should aim to earn enough to afford the same quality of education for their offspring, ensuring the cycle of investment yields tangible benefits.