For many people, especially those from Long Island, it is expected that they go to college and study abroad. They can go anywhere around the world for an entire semester and get school credit for it. This sounds like something every single person should do and would be silly not to do. But, like everything else, there is a reality to this semester-long vacation.
I didn’t study abroad. I spent my spring semester in Oneonta, NY. And I am so happy I did. I am lucky enough to say that I chose not to study abroad, it wasn’t that I couldn’t study abroad. Many other people aren’t as lucky. Studying abroad is expensive, not only the tuition but the lifestyle as well. Going out to eat, going out at night, traveling, buying souvenirs, groceries, etc. Everything adds up and many people simply can’t afford to do this even though they dream that they could.
So, when I recently came home from another amazing semester at Oneonta, I ran into many people who studied abroad. The one thing I noticed was not that everyone wanted to know how I was doing, they wanted to know how abroad was. I got asked “did you go abroad” or the people who really weren’t my friends and just figured I was like every other Jewish girl from Long Island, just said “How was abroad?” because I fit the stereotype. When I responded “no”, those questions were partnered with a pitying look. They were confused as to why I didn’t spend my semester in Florence or Barcelona like everyone else. What most people who ask me don’t know, is that although I did not choose to study abroad, I have been abroad.
I have spent summers in Italy, London, Paris, Africa, Tahiti/Bora Bora, Hawaii and many other places that people only dream about it. But, I am one of the lucky ones. There are people who wish they could travel and when asked if they studied abroad, they don’t want your pity looks. I truly believe that many people who have been given the chance to study abroad don’t realize how lucky they are to be able to experience it. Studying abroad isn’t a requirement, it’s a luxury.
For the people who have studied abroad, I say this to you; you need to open up your mind and realize the reality that not everyone is as lucky as you are to have spent the semester traveling the world, spending (their parent’s) money, partying and taking easy classes like you were. So the next time you ask someone if they studied abroad and they say no, ask them how their semesters were, don’t ask why they didn’t go… because quite frankly it’s none of your business.
I am not against studying abroad at all and if you get the chance to then I think you should do it. Traveling is one of my favorite things to do and I am so genuinely appreciative of the chances I have been given to do so. But if you do study abroad, please keep in mind that there are people who are not as fortunate to be able to take a semester off.
Don’t look at these people like they are less than you. And, if you don’t get the chance to study abroad, don’t fret. You have your entire life to travel, you only get 4 years of college, so enjoy being at school while you can.
