College is a time to grow as a human in ways that you never knew you could. Why not add to that while you Study Abroad? But some people wonder why pay thousands of dollars to go visit a foreign place for months when you can learn those things in your local college from a text book? I remember I had to beg my parents to study abroad. My dad didn’t want me so far away My Mom was hesitant but supportive. I was so anxious and excited to go live somewhere else for a while and step outside of my comfort zone. I chose England. Why? It is an English speaking country, ( I have never been good with foreign languages) I have a lot of family history there and it is still one of my favorite cities. Here are some reasons Why Studying abroad is the best decision you can make.
When studying abroad , you gaining a different education can benefit you in so many ways. Going to London gave me the opportunity to study art and theater in a way that i never had the chance to before. Those subjects were my chosen majors in college, and to go to a city that not only thrives in those areas, but has a long history with both is amazing. I studied British History ( I love history) and I felt that was important considering many of our founding fathers were European by birth or descendants. And i also got to study British politics. I have to admit I didn’t choose that one and it didn’t sound interesting, but I was a fascinating class that offered an insight into the similarities between the British and American political systems. Most Study abroad programs allow you to transfer you credits from your overseas school to your current college.
Oh the adventures. College is full of adventures, However, studying abroad allows you to recognize that most countries are close to other countries. Meaning it’s easy to take a weekend trip from Paris to Germany, or Thailand to Singapore. It is like us travelling from L.A. to Houston. Except your are in a different country. Not only did i get to explore some of the English countryside in my classes, i also sign up to take excursions to Prague, Paris, Belgium and Amsterdam. I tried a dish in Amsterdam that looked like a giant meatball and it was Fried mashed potatoes! I had so much fun exploring new things and what each new city has to offer.
Belgium really has amazing Belgian Waffles. There is also a tiny little pizza place in the town of Brugge that is AMAZING and Belgium is also known for its Lace. Paris has crepes and they are every bit of worth it. When you study abroad you get to find out that Paris also lives up to the cheese and the Wine and the Fruit. My favorite memory of Paris is sitting on a boat on the Seine River at night, eating Cheese, a baguette, Strawberries and drinking wine, as we floated through the City of lights. If you go to Prague, you should know they are known for Crystal. It can be found in most every shop and its Gorgeous. Studying abroad will allow you to experience these for yourself. Plus who doesn’t want to spend their college years eating amazing chocolate, cheese and wine?
College is a time for making Friends. The friends and people you meet when you study abroad is like none other. I was lucky enough to go with friends at the time, so we had a great time making memories, taking pictures and exploring. But we also met many new friends along the way. Some of our teachers and representatives with our school were people we relied on the most for help or advice, especially living in a new country. I still am in contact with one or two of them. Especially now a days with social media ( that wasn’t’ an option when I was studying abroad.) It has made it so much easier to stay involved and connected.
Studying abroad leaves history at your feet. I LOVE history. College is supposed to help you grow as a person and give you an education like no other. Especially when you study abroad, you get to visit new places that are hundreds of years old, the history just explodes in front of you. Going to Winston Churchill’s Birthplace, walking through William Shakespeare’s Childhood home, or seeing remains of cities and buildings destroyed by Nazi’s is unfathomable. Things a History test book won’t tell you. I was lucky. I got an amazing Teacher for British history. Many of our classes were spent outside the classroom exploring the city. I can’t say they will all do that, but there will be ways to explore the city you chose to Study Abroad in that way.
I tell my husband all the time how much that experience meant to me. It changed who i was a aperson in College. The adventures we went on, the stories I have to tell, such as getting lost on a bus in Camden town, England is hysterical and mind boggling. The first time I ever set foot in Paris was on New years Eve. A bunch of American students trying to figure out how to get to the Eiffel tower by midnight. I spent St. Patrick’s day on a river boat in London down the Thames River and I spent Valentine’s day that year in Prague. Certain smells remind me of certain places and I miss the food. No matter what British pub you walk into here in the States, we Americans don’t know who to make a proper Bangers and Mash! No matter Where you Study Abroad, I promise you it will be the best decision you make, and you won’t regret it.
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