Stick close to the nest

Peter Brady asks what would happen to UK universities if many British students decided to study abroad ("Flock may change course", 15 September). We must also ask what this would mean for the students themselves.

Leaving home to go to university is already a big step. Living abroad simply for financial reasons would certainly cause massive psychological difficulties for many (eg, loneliness and problems adapting to foreign cultures).

Furthermore, studying abroad would not help students to develop an appropriate understanding of the UK job market, and they would almost certainly lack the connections that can help to find jobs back home.

Unless prospective students plan to stay in the country of study, I strongly advise them not to flock abroad, especially not for financial reasons alone.

Gijsbert Stoet, Lecturer in psychology, University of Leeds