Have you ever thought about studying abroad — taking off for a semester or two, learning and exploring somewhere new and exciting, meeting new people and trying new things? No? Well, why not? Many of the thoughts that students have that prevent them from looking into or following through on study abroad programs are actually not valid reasons at all, such as:

1. The cost is too high!

There are definitely costs associated with going abroad for any length of time, but through study abroad programs, those costs are comparable to the amount that you are already paying to attend a four-year university in the United States. Often, as is the case with CSULB, when you choose to study through their exchange programs, you pay the same tuition as you would here, and financial aid can easily apply!

If the cost of just attending college is a little much for you and you rely on scholarships and loans to cover your costs, then you are in luck. There are entire organizations that only give scholarships to students trying to further their education by going abroad! Not to mention the countless funding websites and fundraising opportunities that can help to offset any of the costs you cannot get covered through scholarships.

2. I only speak English!

One of the main fears students have about going abroad is traveling to a country where the primary language is not English, and they do not think they will be able to keep up with the course work or acclimate to an environment in which people speak another language. Before even starting the application process, it is easy to have or not have the language requirements in place. Some countries, like Spain, may have language requirements if you go through your university, but there are also private companies that offer abroad opportunities that, because of their specialty, can find options for you despite the language barrier.

3. I only want to go to this specific country!

There are over 190 countries in the world, and each one of them has something unique and interesting to give to you. Going abroad, no matter where you go, will enrich you in ways that you can only dream about if you stay in one place. Sure, there are places that based on personal preference are more suitable for a week-long vacation versus living there for months. But if only one country out of all of those options sounds enjoyable to you, then maybe you should spend some time thinking about what you are hoping to get from that country, and why that is the only place you could get that enrichment from.

Long Beach State in particular has programs and resources that can help you study in Argentina, Australia, Belize, Brazil, Cambodia, Canada, Chile, China, Costa Rica, Colombia, Croatia, Cuba, Cyprus, the Czech Republic, Denmark, Egypt, Fiji, Finland, France, Germany, Ghana, Greece, India, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Japan, Jordan, Kazakhstan, Malaysia, Mexico, Morocco, Nepal, the Netherlands, Panama, Peru, Romania, Russia, Senegal, Singapore, South Africa, South Korea, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Taiwan, Tanzania, Thailand, the United Kingdom, and Vietnam. Not all of these programs are available every semester or for every major, and there is a mix of campus exchange programs and private companies of various lengths, but with that amount of options, there should be something for everyone.

4. But I'll get homesick!

Yes, being homesick does suck, but what doesn't suck is getting to experience other countries and people, traditions and food, and advancing your personal and professional education. Consider it like a more “adult” or longer version of a religious retreat or sleep away camp; sure you missed your parents and friends, but the skills and new relationships you developed over that trip made it more than worthwhile.

Technology has advanced a lot more now than if you had been trying to go abroad 50 years ago. No longer are you isolated in this new country with only snail mail to comfort you every few weeks. Now, thanks to the internet, Facebook, Wi-Fi calling, Twitter, Skype, Instagram, and texting apps, you have free and readily available ways to connect with your loved ones at home. You can get in contact with a parent or significant other every day if you really wanted to — not to mention you'll make all of your friends back home jealous by posting incredible pictures and stories of your adventures.

5. A homestay? No thanks!

Homestays often get a bad rap when students try to go abroad — what if the family is really a band of serial killers? Here's an answer to that: they won’t be. Programs that offer homestays have intensive screening and application processes to make sure that the family is suitable to be hosting foreign students. Sometimes, it is required that the student eat meals with the family, and might not be allowed to have overnight guests, but by living with that family you get a true sense of the culture you are experiencing and the daily life, food, and customs of another culture. Many of these families also have children in a similar age-range of the students they are hosting, and that gives you an automatic source of the hidden gems of the area you live in.

If a homestay just really isn't something you're comfortable with, that's okay, too. There are multiple options for students abroad besides a homestay, like a local university dorm or your own apartment. The lines between dorms and apartments can get a little blurry, because some foreign universities have campus affiliated apartments that function like dorms, but the point is, there are other choices. In order to get access to the different plans and find the cost differences to decide what is the best fit for you, apply to the program. If you do not get accepted there is nothing to stress about, and if you do get accepted, then you have resources to decide the benefits and potential downfalls of each situation.

No matter what your concerns are about going abroad, it is very likely you will be able to find a program that fits all of your needs, wants, and expectations. Studying abroad will be one of the most incredible and worthwhile things you do in your life, so don’t be afraid to take that leap. Start at your school’s abroad office or website, or take your time looking online at different options, but check it out — it will definitely be worthwhile!