I agree with you "It must depend where you study." I think the main goal of learning language is to communicate with people. As a result, both characters are great for foreigners. "what is the advantage of learning traditional characters?" you asked. Actually, we have used traditional characters for hundred years. I think you can find the art of Chinese words after learning traditional characters. However, I emphasize again both characters are great. Final question, I think "Yes." One reason is that it becomes easier to learn simplified characters after learning traditional characters. The other reason is we have used traditional characters for hundred years after all.

It must depend where you study. For instance, I'm living in mainland China, so studying traditional characters offers me no immediate gain. Maybe if someone was studying in Taiwan, they'd be introduced to traditional characters. The simplified characters certainly do save time when you're writing shorthand. PRC changed to simplified characters to increase literacy among rural peasants, Hong Kong and Taiwan did have the same problem on the same scale. Maybe you can tell me, what is the advantage of learning traditional characters? Would you recommend them to a foreigner learning Chinese? Why or why not?