In this day and age, travel is something many people of college age long for. How many quotes and pictures have we seen on social media talking about the word, wanderlust? Many people dream of traveling the world. This idea is highly romanticized within our generation. There’s just something special about traveling and experiencing new things. It is for these reasons that I decided to do a study abroad my freshman year. I spent a little less than a month in Ireland and Scotland with complete strangers who later became good friends. The trip was not only a terrific experience, but is also now something I encourage everyone to do for varying reasons.
1. Hands on learning experience
This is one of the biggest benefits of a study abroad experience. You’re not only provided the opportunity to learn, but you will find yourself completely immersed in the subject. What better way to learn something than to be surrounded by it?
2. Friends
You absolutely have to meet new people. After all, you don’t want to do this by yourself! It’s always a great thing to make new connections and relationships. Even if these friendships last only for the trip, they’re people who will be well worth the time put in.
3. Get out of your shell/comfort zone
There’s so many new and exciting things for you to do that you’ll have countless opportunities to branch out and try new things. Even if the most branching out you do is trying new foods, a study abroad is an excellent way to expand your horizons.
4. Yeah, let’s go back to that food part
There’s nothing like authentic foods made and prepared in their home country. I’m pretty sure I gained ten pounds on my study abroad program and I don’t regret a single one.
5. Boost you resume
Experiences like travel/study abroad trips are the types of activities that can help boost your resume or an application to a later school, like grad school. It’s an experience that can give you a better understanding of world and shows that you have the flexibility and nerve to put yourself in new situations.
6. Pictures
Tons and tons of pictures. Get ready for the hardest profile pic decision you’ll likely ever have. There’ll be pictures with monumental landmarks, pictures with items unique to the culture, pictures of you with new friends or doing new things, basically just oodles and oodles of pictures.
7. Explore a new culture
For many it’s not often that we step outside of the social structures and norms we are raised with and live in to explore another’s. Seeing an entire nation’s different culture is an eye opening experience. It helps us to understand those who are different from ourselves and gives us a new perspective of our own culture.
8. Memories
The experiences you will have while abroad are memories that will last you a lifetime. You will never forget that time in college where you got to live out that “wanderlust” feeling so many people have while also learning and getting credit for a class/classes.
9. This is a once in a life time opportunity
This isn’t an chance a lot of people get. At this time in our lives travel commonly comes in the form of a spring break beach trip, not out of the country and possibly over seas. Another aspect of a study abroad that sets it apart is the space to learn. Though wild beach trips are enjoyable, there’s something special about using travel as an invitation to learn and expand yourself.
10. Inside jokes
Let’s face it, if you’re put with a group of people going through the same experiences you are there’s bound to be some high quality (and probably also quite a few low quality) jokes that will carry throughout the whole trip.
11. Going back home
Getting to go home is like a bittersweet thing. By the end of the trip you realize how much you miss your bed, friends, and family. Though it is sad to say goodbye to all the new people and places you had gotten to enjoy during your stay, there’s nothing like a hug from your parents and a good night's sleep in your own bed. Being away really makes you appreciate being home.
Study abroad trips are truly fantastic experience. For anyone reading this who has the opportunity to go on one I definitely urge you to do so. Such an experience is something you will not regret and will leave you with memories and lessons to last you a lifetime.
