Leaving home and familiar faces can be difficult, but it's a risk worth taking. The world is your home, explore every room.

1. Experience a different culture.

This one is pretty obvious. But it's really important to go out and see the world, understanding a different culture is imperative to understanding the world you live in.

2. Pick up an accent.

Studying abroad is the time to perfect that English accent you've been working on.

3. Try different foods.

Try pig brain, el nopal, and a düner. Try it all!

4. Get away for a while.

Everyone needs a little time to get away, especially when you've gone from school, to school, and then you're expected to go straight into the real world, with a job, and pay bills, and be an actual adult.

5. Looks great on future job applications.

If you can say you've studied abroad, most employers see that as a sign of courage and independence.

6. Meet a hot Australian/Italian/Englishman.

And if everything goes well Australia/Italy/England could be your new home!

7. Understand a different culture and you understand your own.

In order to fully find yourself you have to lose yourself (or at least that's what they say) and the best way to lose yourself is to immerse yourself in a totally different culture and learn about yourself all over again.

8. There are bigger and better places out there.

There is more to this world than the small town you grew up in and the city you moved to to go to school. There are different people to see, different places to go, and different things to do. It's your job to take advantage of them.

9. Sometimes it costs less to study abroad than it does to stay at school.

If you are even on the fence about studying abroad, go and talk to your study abroad advisor and discuss your options. Find an affordable one, most times federal aid transfers.

10. Distance makes the heart grow fonder.

It's time to grow up kids. Be truly out on your own just for a little while. See the world in a different light. The world is your home, explore every room.