1. You aren't just a tourist
Being a student at a university abroad gives you an entirely different experience than merely visiting the country. You'll find yourself annoyed at oblivious tourists and you forget that you kind of still are one. This "honey" feeling is inaccessible otherwise without actually residing in another country. And that feeling is what will make your experience so priceless.
2. You have a real excuse to travel around for however long you choose
"Studying abroad" sounds so much better than "traveling for a while". For semester exchanges, it's impossible to travel for months at a time without taking a semester or year off. You're getting college credit, can still graduate on time, AND live in a foreign country for a summer or semester.
3. It isn't as expensive as you think
For some programs, you can even pay the same amount as tuition at your home university while you're abroad. Many students worry that money will prohibit them from studying abroad, but this is false. Depending on the currency exchange, it could even be cheaper.
4. You meet people from all over the world
How else will you meet a lifelong friend from Spain, Ecuador, Morocco, etc.?
5. You make friends within your own program that you never would've known otherwise
These are friends that you don't have to leave behind when you travel thousands of miles away. You can bring them right back with you!
6. Weekend traveling
What many students don't realize is how cheap it is to travel around (especially Europe) once you are already overseas. By checking online, you can find train tickets or even small flights for under $50.
7. You can choose your time limit
Every university offers programs from as short as a week to as long as an entire school year. Thanks to this, students are able to choose how long they wish to spend abroad. This is perfect for students who think a semester is too much of a commitment, or think that a semester just isn't enough! For students with majors that leave little flexibility for going abroad, there are even month-long summer programs.
8. You can cater it to your major, language, etc.
This is nice, as you can choose what you would rather study while abroad. You can choose to go to the country where your language of choice is spoken or where you can take courses for your chosen major.
9. You travel to places you never would travel to on your own
I mean, seriously, when would you ever go to South America or the Middle East for four months BESIDES when you're studying abroad?
10.You'll never get this opportunity again
As sad as it is, there comes a time when every college student realizes that their time before they enter the real world is dwindling. Part of this is getting a job that most likely won't offer much flexibility, let alone giving you a month off in the summer - or a semester - to travel at your leisure and live overseas. Studying abroad truly is the experience of a lifetime; an experience only available during the four best years of your life. I won't lie and say it's easy. You'll miss your family. You'll miss your friends. But you can always come back home. What won't always be an option, however, is taking advantage of study abroad opportunities at your university.
