We are on a never-ending endeavor to truly find ourselves and the people who we are destined to be. College is a prime place to learn more about yourself. College provides unfamiliar environments with so many new people and experiences that give you the option to go off on your own and find what and who interests you. The option to study overseas has become very popular among students in the past decade for this exact reason. Once we are acquainted with everyday college life, many of us want any kind of experience that exemplifies independence.

I have a thirsty heart for unique experiences. I will do anything that will provide me with a different perspective. Living abroad for a month two summers ago was a monumental period of time for me. I exited this bubble I’ve been living in the United States, one I appreciate, but one I think everyone should step out to see what the rest of the world is like. This was actually my first time on a plane by myself, my first time overseas, and my first time living in an apartment, so I adapted to a lot of changes in a short period of time. I loved every second of it. I learned so much living in another country, from where things were located to what kind of person I am. Every experience, every conversation, every place is so different from anything you’ve ever seen or heard before.

By going abroad, you may miss out on a summer or semester of college, but once you get there you’ll realize that experience is worth more than any fraternity party or tailgate. Going aboard doesn't just mean taking a class in another country. Going abroad is immersing yourself in another culture and witnessing things, places, and people that you could not see here in the US. Going abroad is creating friendships with people who are experiencing similar feelings to you. They are students just like you, and they there for the same experiences as you. It is inevitable that the people you spend your time with there will become some of your close friends. You are all Americans experiencing this foreign culture together and there’s something really special about that. Going abroad is realizing who you are and what you bring to the world. Interacting with people of another culture is important in finding yourself and understanding the revolving world around you. Go there with an open heart and mind. Realize that these next few weeks or months are going to be completely different from your life at home, but that is what is so cool about.

I highly suggest journaling while you are abroad. By the time you arrive home, your trip will seem like a blur. Your thoughts and emotions within a certain moment can never be fully retained, especially when you have moments every single day that bring you an excess amount of emotion and thoughts. You are going to want to relive these moments. Collect as many experiences as possible to soak up every little bit of this thing called life. See the world and experience everything while you can because that’s what the world is here for. You’ll breathe someone else’s air and walk in the footsteps of someone you’ve never met. You’ll come back and take the lessons you’ve learned and apply them to your own life at school and wherever you end up after that. Definitely take the opportunity to go abroad if you are questioning it. Once you arrive home, you’ll understand.