If you want one reason why you should do a intensive course abroad- then check out the current pink headsets thread by Mazzy something or other.
Rather un-called for, don't you think? I've followed Mazzy's thread from the start, and met him too. He learned over a longish time period, and had cancellations due to weather, but so what? He also kept on with his studying and later his job, learned a lot, had a great time, and met loads of people...important if you're a sociable soul and might want to fly with them afterwards. Oh, and by the way, he got a PPL at the end of it too. I don't see him complaining and saying he should have gone to the USA, so why should anyone else think that?
There are pros and cons of both ways of learning, and it depends on the person and what they want.