TOEFL Classes are proving to be worth every cent I spent on it. I look forward to going to classes on Tuesdays and Thursdays. Why I enjoy it? I am enjoying it because I am lording over everybody! Bwhahahah J Kidding! It has occurred to me that though I NEED not be here, I am still getting lots out of it. I may know enough to pass the exams without the benefit of preparation classes, but I am quite sure that I might get higher marks in the end. I am like groundwater waiting to be tapped to the surface, and TOEFL prep class is the valuable pipe. Bottomline, the clinchers could be the techniques and strategies on answering the questions that are given in trickles while in classes.

I have 2 teachers, one for the writing part, and another for the speaking part. Tuesdays are for writing and Thursdays are for speaking. I love doing both. Yesterday, my teacher gave us back our 2 essays with matching comments on them. I was ecstatic to get my papers, each with huge red check marks and the word "excellent" written at the bottom. Hmmm.. not bad! At the end of the class, she told the class that when they/we write next time, they/we should make it more interesting, and then she looked at me and asked if she could read my essays in class. I of course nodded, inwardly beaming in delight! J Bwhahahahahah.

She then asked the class if they want to hear them. A resounding yes. All eyes are now looking at me, that I wished I straightened my hair and put on lots of make-up instead of a bare face and just lipgloss smeared on my lips. While my teacher hurriedly read my works, the Serbian speech therapist commented, "why are you here? You do not need to be here!"  Another East European girl whom I frequently exchanged smiles with was largely grinning at me and her thumbs signing "thumbs up!" It was hilarious! And fun.

I am having a blast. The grades my teacher marked me were 4.5/5 each. Hmm I wonder what is that 0.5 that she did not give me. I wonder what she wants more out of my essays! Bwhahahahha! A girl is never, ever content! J

One of the essays read was my previous entry, and the other follows:

Many students choose to attend schools or universities outside their home countries.  Why do some students study abroad? Use specific reasons and details to explain your answer.

Many students choose to attend educational institutions outside their home countries. They may have been able to do so because of parental support or they may have been granted scholarships. Either way, going abroad to pursue further studies can be costly.

Students of today go to institutions that have strong positive reputation of the program they are interested in. If they can afford it, they will go to the best school that offers their program. And yes, these schools may not be located in their native countries, hence the need for relocation to foreign soils.

There is of course this smart breed of people who are able to snag scholarships to study abroad. They will jump into the opportunity to study abroad and receive study grants, thesis allowance and monthly stipends, that is on top of free tuition. Sometimes, there maybe enough money to send back home to the poor parents in their native countries.

Another reason why some students relocate abroad is pure practicality.  If for example one is learning English, the students will probably want to go to an English-speaking country and be physically and mentally present (in that country) and learn through cultural absorption and actually functioning in the English-speaking society. In his daily dealings, he will soon become more skilled in speaking and writing English or whatever language he is learning.

A few well-to-do students relocate to other countries just because they can. They like being mobile. They are able to see the world as they study. They can combine the work involved in studying with the pleasure of being in new places away from home, and the cost involved is not a concern.

To end, the choice of whether to stay in one's native country or to go abroad for further studies may not even be an actual preference at all. The location where students go to for higher learning may depend largely on economics, above all other considerations.