You might have gone to college thinking that you would definitely studying abroad, but in all honestly, you never really seriously considered it. You may have causally browsed the options available to you at your school, but always easily found all the reasons why you shouldn't go for it. Well, here are all the reasons why you should go for it:

1. It’s a once in the lifetime opportunity

Outside of college, it is very unlikely that you will be able to have the chance to study abroad. Life will simply keep going on it's scheduled course, and there will be no opportunity to be able to take classes in an international setting coming your way again.

2. You’re able to exercise your independence

You don’t have to check in with your parents to let them know where you’re going, and your mom isn’t going to be able to talk to you for hours on the phone. You have to make sure you’re taking care of yourself. This might be a brand new concept to some people, and being independent is definitely an essential life skill. Study abroad will give you a chance to exercise your independence.

3. You get to study at a different university

You'll probably be able to experience a whole different style and approach to education, which is what makes studying abroad, in comparison to just simply vacationing, so unique.

4. The timing is perfect

This is obviously a generalization, but for the most part, as college students, we are at a unique place in our lives where we are not attached to a full-time career or taking care of a family of our own. Yes, we still have roots down, but this is the most independent will be for maybe the rest of our lives. Now is the time to travel. To experience new things. To discover.

5. You’ll learn how to adapt to a new environment

In regular, everyday life, you're fairly comfortable. You know the places, streets, restaurants, parks, and people around you. You live in a safe bubble of things that you might have known for your entire life. Well, study abroad is a way to burst that bubble. It forces you to experience new things for the first time.

6. You’re able to immerse yourself in another culture

The easiest - and most effective - way to understand a new culture is to actual be a part of it physically. It opens your eyes to how the world actually works outside of everything you have been familiar with, and this is acts as an important component of personal growth.

7. The sightseeing alone

Depending on what destination you decide to spend your study abroad, you'll be able to see with your own eyes iconic and historic landmarks, buildings, natural wonders, museums, and artworks, that you've only seen on TV and in movies. It will be an experience that you'll cherish for years to come.

8. It’s an automatic resume booster

This might not be the first thing you usually think of when you consider studying abroad, but you really should. Studying abroad definitely provides you with an edge in the applicant pool. It shows that you were willing to take your education to the next level, which is a useful asset to have.

9. You'll have experiences you never imagined

Who knows where you will find yourself? Studying abroad allows you enter a new country with new customs, activities, and perspectives. There is no way that you wouldn't experience something different and exciting while studying abroad.

10. You can try different food

This may seem like a silly thing, but even though you might have the option to enjoy ethnic cuisine back at home, it's incomparable to actually having the real thing. Also, you will most likely sample dishes that you never knew existed before and might even find a new favorite food.

11. You’ll learn more about yourself

Studying abroad is mainly about education, but it's also about self-discovery. You might find out things about yourself that you didn't even know. You might find new interests, discover your independent nature, and learn who you really are away from home and all those familiar faces.

12. You’ll regret it if you don’t

Let’s be honest, you will regret passing up the opportunity to study abroad, especially if you were seriously considering it but decided against it for various reasons: money, getting behind on credits, money, being away from friends and family, scared of being alone in a new place, and money. It’s understandable. I was concerned about all of those things too. But I strongly believe that the pros outweigh the cons by far and that studying abroad will be worth it.

I hope that after reading through these reasons, you are more convinced that you should start looking at study abroad opportunities that are being offered at your university.