College is the perfect place to find an opportunity to explore the world. There are a thousand options at your fingertips that can get you across the globe, finally seeing that one place you've always dreamed of. It's easier than you think, and right now is the perfect time to go. Here are 14 reasons why you, and everyone, should study abroad.
You don't have to plan anything.
I get it, you're in college, you're both busy and lazy. Even if you had the money, you probably wouldn't be able to plan out a perfect European adventure simply because you don't have the time or resources. But the beautiful thing about Study Abroad programs is that they do all of that for you! Once you're accepted, all you really have to do by yourself is book your flights (usually coordinated with other students), then the rest is perfectly planned out for you by the program leaders/directors. All you have to do is show up (and not forget your passport.)
You get to actually live in a different country.
Another reason why studying abroad is different and better than just visiting a place on your own is the fact that you are actually living there for however long. You're usually not staying in a hotel, and you're not just a regular tourist. No matter where you're staying, be it a dorm-style option or a more private one, you are going to learn how to buy your own groceries, interact with natives, and live your life temporarily like a local. It's also really fun to say that you "lived in Paris (or Florence or London or wherever) for a while."
You make new friends.
If you're typically someone who hangs with one best friend or only a few close friends all the time, this is the perfect opportunity to branch out and see how you really can be on your own. You pretty much have to make to make friends with other students in your program, and often these people become friends for life. Even if you don't see them much after you all get back to the states, you've shared some great experiences & gained confidence without the safety blanket of your usual group.
You can learn something entirely new.
Since this is "Study" Abroad and not "Drink Every Night and Hook Up With Hot Foreigners ( & Occasionally Go To Classes)" Abroad, you'll actually get to learn some interesting stuff that may not be at al related to your major. In my case, I'm a sociology major but participated in an Art History program, so I got to explore a subject that I love even though it's not my major.
You're literally getting course credits to explore a beautiful city.
Seriously. What other time in your life can you just leave everything behind and explore a gorgeous foreign city for 6 weeks or however long and it be totally fine and acceptable and also it's helping you graduate? Yeah, never. You could not ask for a better opportunity.
It looks great on a resume.
Not only is studying abroad great for your course credits and personal life, but it might also help you get employed in the future! Employers like to see foreign experience because it shows that you can be adaptable, sociable, experienced, and accepting of other cultures. Bonus points if you study in a non-English speaking country.
You learn how to live without your phone.
Unless you plan on paying a fortune for a foreign phone plan, you probably won't be using it much unless you're at home and connected to wifi. This is a blessing in disguise, as you're paying less attention to your screen and more to the place you're in, getting as much out of it as possible. You're also not as worried about texting your boyfriend/girlfriend/parents all the time (although you should occasionally whatsapp them to let them know you're still alive), and just talk to others and enjoy life. This will stick with you even when you get back to America.
You get to do and see things even locals might not have.
Because you're a part of an educational program, you get to visit some places that might be off the average tourists radar or just usually hard to get into. Museums or cathedrals that usually have two hour wait times, you get to just walk right into since your professor probably has a reservation. I studied abroad in Paris, France, and a friend of mine who was actually from France said I'd been places even he had never been. Think about it, even if you went on your own, you would have to wait in unbearable lines and probably miss out on some amazing, off the beaten path places.
You learn how to master public transport.
This may not seem that important, but trust me, it is. When you first get abroad, you may feel overwhelmed by the public transportation system that is now you're only option for getting around, but before you know it, you're riding the metro like a natural. If you ever move to a big city where having a car is more of an expensive, unnecessary luxury, you'll know how to get around with public transport no problem.
You can (probably) go out with no problem.
In most countries other than the U.S, the legal drinking age is 18. So even if you can't legally drink at home, you can enjoy happy hour and clubs to their fullest abroad. In countries like France, you can get a great bottle of wine for about 3 euro. Also, many countries don't have laws about drinking outside like we do, so you can make a great night or picnic near a monument for pretty cheap. Just be safe, go in a group, and don't drink too much, as you'll probably have to take the metro/bus home or pay extra for a taxi. In some countries, taxi drivers can actually refuse to drive you if you seem too drunk, so just pay attention and don't lose control. If you do it right, you can make some amazing memories with some incredible people.
You can potentially go for free
Yep, with the amount of study abroad scholarships out there, you might get to have one of the greatest experiences of your life for free. Even if you don't manage to get any scholarships, there are also grants and other ways to help you pay for it. I was denied scholarship but received thousands in grants that basically paid for the whole program, and I was not the only one in my class that this happen to. Don't ever use money as an excuse not to go.
The food is incredible.
Yeah, it's so important it got its own spot on this list. No matter where you go, you're going to have some incredible food that American versions just cannot do justice to. If you study in Italy, you might annoy everyone around you at home whenever they want to go to an "Italian" restaurant like Olive Garden about how that's not real Italian and the food you had was sooo much better. If you study in France, you can gross everyone out while sounding extremely cultured when you talk about escargot (or if you're vegetarian like me you can eat crepes everyday with no judgement). If you study in London, well you'll have a whole plethora of food options that you'll miss when back in the states. The food from your study abroad home will be a significant reason for you to come back one day, not even exaggerating. If the words "gelato," "croissants," "pizza," or "wine" make you happy, then you should probably definitely study abroad.
You get to explore a new culture.
Perhaps the most important part of studying abroad is learning about a new culture by being completely emersed in it. If you're studying in a non-English speaking country, you might even pick up on the language, which can be more helpful than you think. As long as you're not eating exclusively at McDonalds or getting all your coffee from Starbucks (try an espresso at any real coffee shop instead), you'll find yourself in a beautiful culture that you might end up wishing was your own
It's an experience you'll never forget.
For all the reasons listed above and more, your study abroad experience is always going to be something you look back on fondly. It's also an easy way to connect with others you may meet who have also studied abroad, even if it was at a different school and to a different place. You'll never regret studying abroad, and right now is the best time to go.
