Defined as a forceful need to see the world, wanderlust has possessed my life. From the youngest of ages, I had been exposed to travel and living in a world outside of my comfort zone. Because of family outside of my bubble, which I know as the United States of America, I was forced to see countries around the world. After travelling to Italy, Paris, Venezuela, and islands throughout the Caribbean, passion sparked within me. I needed to see the rest of the world. Fortunately, my high school offered numerous opportunities to travel abroad. Of course, being the self-proclaimed wanderluster I am, I took advantage of each opportunity granted to me. Because of these opportunities, I was able to visit countries such as Hungary, Austria, Germany, England, Poland and, my personal favorite, Czech Republic. I walked the London Bridge, as well as the paths that the prisoners of Auschwitz once walked. The opportunities in high school have acted as a segue to my interest in studying abroad through similar opportunities offered in college.
I say with the utmost honesty that being a wanderluster has benefited my life in so many ways, and I am here to tell you 5 short reasons why and how studying abroad is an awesome life decision.
1. Mind-Opening
Going away to school has exposed me to every mentality that encompasses this planet. I have met ones afraid to leave their ten-mile zip code radius, and ones who just can’t contain their desire to travel. Based on personal observation, and a somewhat biased opinion, the sense to leave your comfort zone and see the world for what it is leads to success in every aspect of social standing. Life is about taking risks, enjoying the moment, and exposing oneself to all beautiful things possible.
2. Education
Close your eyes. Imagine learning the language of love in a classroom. Open your eyes. Now close your eyes again and imagine learning the language of love in the land of love. Different sensation, right? The best way to learn a culture is to go to that country. To be honest, I knew nothing about Budapest before going. (Did you know the city is divided into two cities: Buda and Pest?) However, upon visiting, I learned the most culturally enriching material that I would never be able to find in any college textbook. The idea of seeing what I’m learning about is simply fantastic.
3. Experience
Based on my own experiences, it can be said that I have done things I could never think of doing, all because I traveled abroad. How often can one say they went to Shakespeare’s house? I don’t even like Shakespeare (no offense Billy Shakes), but if I’m invited for tea and crumpets, you can bet your bottom dollar I will go. This was only during a week in London; imagine what could be done in a semester.
4. Financially Realistic
Although not always the case, more often than not, studying abroad actually calculates to less than studying at your college or university, itself. Colleges love to brag about all their wanderlustful students who study abroad, thus making the experience more available. Yes, it will be costly, but hey, college robs us enough for staying at home base, anyway. Might as well keep it interesting.
5. Enhancer
People love people who love to live. Although only a college sophomore, one major component I have added to my list of accomplishments is traveling for academic purposes (not studying abroad, per se). Regardless of reason, employers enjoy interesting stories and shared experiences. Any Joe Shmo can list their professional experience - as most do - but having an interesting conversation-starter like traveling or studying abroad is a shoe-in to a beneficial discussion and the exhibition of your desire to test limits and put yourself out there.
