This summer I studied abroad in Florence, Italy. Traveling to Europe was not only a life changing experience, but a soul altering adventure. Almost every school offers study abroad programs and in my opinion, not enough people take advantage of it. I came up with a list of ten reasons why you should go for it and take the trip despite any doubts you may have.
1. The BEST way to gain cultural knowledge is to have real life experiences.
This is an obvious one, but people see this differently. You will learn things about different cultures that you honestly can't learn anywhere else. Some people observe and take note of it all and some people use their new found cultural knowledge to create a better life for themselves and others. If you want to know the world around you, then get out there. You can read as many books as you want about all the different lifestyles around the world, but you’ll never learn as much as you can by simply wandering the streets of Venice or dining in a local shop in France.
2. Everyone needs to be the “different” one for once.
How many times can you say you have ever been the minority in a situation on your campus? Have you ever been in a situation where you were the only one in a group of people who didn't speak the native language? While studying abroad, you are guaranteed to experience this daily. Every person should know what it feels like to be the different one in the crowd. Being the only English speaking person in an area gives you a whole new perspective on people and life itself.
3. You will meet new people and you're bound to make some great friends.
Chances are, you won’t know but maybe 1 or 2 people in your study abroad group. Having pre-departure meetings, GroupMe messages, and the trip itself, will introduce you to people who have the same desire to learn in a unique way like you do. I made lifelong friends on my trip, even people from other schools around the United States and people from Italy!
4. Become a a professional traveler
Being in another country for weeks or even months, you will learn how to run to catch a train, how to pack the right way, and how to use booking.com fast. After your trip, you’ll be the go-to for travel advice
5. Get a taste of the world.
You’re a picky eater? Not after a trip abroad. There's much more to the food world than late night pizza, fast food, and greasy burgers. Your perspective and opinion on food will drastically change.
6.Your Instagram will love you.
There’s nothing better for your Instagram feed than a nice and pretty trip abroad. Your Instagram will quickly fill up with the pictures you (and everyone else) has always dreamed of taking.
7. No phone service? No problem.
Your adventure abroad will force you to be without service at times, even if you do pay for that expensive international phone plan. You’re not traveling to be on your phone 24/7 anyways, right? It feels great to put your phone in your bag knowing you can’t receive that drama-filled text from home... even if you wanted to.
8. Gain a new appreciation for what you DO have.
Even though most of the places you would be traveling to on a study abroad trip will still be developed countries, like the United States, you will quickly learn that other countries typically live more simply than us Americans do. “You don't truly appreciate what you have until its gone” is a very true statement. Live a month with no A/C, no ice cubes, and no free public restrooms. The “problems” you thought you had in America aren’t really problems to you anymore after being abroad.
9. You’re NOT a tourist.
You'll tour without being a "tourist". You won't be touring, you'll be living, which will make for some great times and great stories. When you study abroad, you will more than likely live in student housing or with a host family. Sometimes, you may wish you were in a nice cozy hotel room, but you’re sure to get a better taste of the cultural living right there with the locals.
10. If not now, then when?
NOW is the time. You’re young, probably have no children, and no career, so what’s holding you back? There are so many scholarships out there to make this experience happen for you. Don’t let the money stop you.
Planning the trip abroad can be overwhelming, expensive, and scary at times, but I can promise it is 100% worth it. While abroad, you will have the chance to travel throughout the country you're in and possibly even other countries. It's an unbelievable opportunity that should never be over-looked.