Everyone says studying abroad is the best way to spend a semester. Well, the truth is, studying abroad will ruin your life. Nothing can ever compare to the amazing time you will spend across the world with incredible new friends. You will come back to find yourself hit with a wave of reverse culture shock and post-abroad depression. If anyone finds a cure, please send it my way ASAP. Here are the 11 reasons why studying abroad will ruin your life (but you should definitely, without a doubt, one hundred percent, still do it).
1. You will make friends that become your family.
When you are shipped halfway across the world, you are bound to miss your family. I don't care how many times you roll your eyes at your mom, or yell at your sibling, you'll miss them. Your study abroad friends become your family away from home, as you spend just about every waking minute with them, experiencing some of the most unique moments of your life. These friends will share memories with you that no one else will understand, and then you'll have to say goodbye to them- only to see them maybe once or twice a year.
2. You will be legal, before you are legal.
Studying abroad just about anywhere else other than the United States means you are of legal age to drink. You'll be raising your glass every night, "cheers-ing" with foreigners, and probably buying rounds for all your friends that you'll regret in the morning. Life will be good. And then, you'll return to the States for those fatal weeks, or even months, before you will be allowed to live that same life of luxury.
3. Your classes will be insultingly easy.
You're in for quite the wake-up call when you return home and are faced with much more responsibility than weekly quizzes and few major papers. Goodbye to the days of sitting in class planning your next weekend excursion. It turns out, you actually have to....learn?
4. You will experience your peak on Instagram.
It's all downhill once you return home. Your Insta collages for your BFF's birthday or pictures of your dog are nice, but they can not compare to the scenic Instagram pictures from your time abroad. In fact, the Insta opportunities abroad are so plentiful you will be stressed, and at times overwhelmed, trying to keep up with them all.
5. You will have amazing cuisine.
While I've never been to Italy, I can imagine that Sorrento's/Antoons (I will not pick sides) just won't cut it when you return. Also, if you see Australian kangaroo in the stores anywhere, let me know I would love to throw some on the barbie.
6. Traveling is so cheap.
Quick flight to another city for the weekend? No biggie. In fact, you probably spend more weekends away than you do in the city you're studying. However, once you return home any flight over $200 seems outrageous...and also non-existent.
7. Your GoPro videos will be unreal.
When you're abroad, everything from skydiving to sitting in a restaurant is worthy of your GoPro montage. Once you get back, videos of you tailgating or of dimly lit basement parties will get real old, real quick.
8. You will be the cool foreigner with the even cooler accent.
Get ready to be asked if you're American or Canadian every time you open your mouth. For once, you get to be the interesting one who has the unique accent and everyone wants to hear you say certain words. When you return, you're just like all the rest of us with our lovely and not at all annoying American accents.
9. You will adopt foreign habits.
Once you return to the States, you'll find yourself walking on the wrong side of the street and using foreign slang that no one else understands or appreciates. You'll feel out of place, like a fruit loop in a box of cheerios- how embarrassing.
10. You will master the public transportation system.
Once you FINALLY figure out the subway, tube, metro, train (whatever you want to call it) system, it will be time to return home. You will no longer feel that sense of pride when you figure out what platform to go to and what station to get off at. Pittsburgh Port Authority just doesn't challenge the mind quite the same way.
11. You will make memories that last a lifetime.
Trying to remember three months worth of good times is exhausting. Studying abroad forces you to look back on the adventures of a lifetime with lifelong friends in a magical place...and who wants that, right?? Don't sign up. Studying abroad will ruin you.
