How often do we search for suffering? For ourselves, the answer would probably be never. How often do we search to join the suffering of others? For many, the answer is still never.

As millennials, we have been rumored as having the biggest hearts for change and helping people, but we also lack the drive and initiative to get anything done. Ouch. What a blow. But as I look around me, I can understand where they are coming from. We millennials run from suffering straight into the plush arms of comfort. We can hardly stand the thought of having a slow "old" iPhone, let alone the harsh realities of starvation and disease.

For many college students, the idea of doing a study abroad trip is the most exciting experience since going to college in the first place. Who wouldn't like an opportunity to legally drink, be around phenomenal art and date a hot European as the cherry on top?

When my junior year came around and I was deciding where to go to study abroad, I was brimming with excitement and anticipation. My school offered two study abroad programs for nursing majors: Switzerland and Cambodia. I had friends who went on both and they equally recommended one over the other. I was torn, where did I want to go? So I began to think, not where I wanted to spend a month, but what I wanted to experience and why.

I want a full experience, something that will change my whole being, not just give me a thorough education on European history, beers and Swiss men. I want to gain a wider understanding of the human experience, what the majority of our world's population experiences, not just the minority experience of living in a first world country.

I feel called to live a life apart from myself. I want to know what it feels like to experience culture shock, to be heartbroken and to be pushed beyond what I think I am capable of withstanding. I want to see God in a way that I have never been able to experience from my seat belt of an American life.

So, I went in search of suffering. Not because I get some sick pleasure from watching other people suffer, but because I knew that I would never be the same if I did.

Here are my top five reasons to study in a third world country.

1. Your faith, beliefs, spirituality or disbelief will be challenged.

This will happen in ways you never knew were possible.

2. No living conditions will ever bother you as long as there is some AC, running water and a standard toilet.

That cheap motel your friend booked for your weekend getaway will seem like a five-star hotel.

3. You will become a model employee.

Complaining about minimum wage and a boss who teases you seems trite after seeing someone work 12 hours of hard construction for $5 or be sold into slavery.

4. You will become extremely aware of any pride, prejudice, weakness or strengths you have.

Patience. Do you have patience?

5. You will want to change the world.

The urge will overwhelm you to the point where you dislike comfort, you yearn for challenge and you hate complacency. For many, this could be the very thing you fear the most. You may hear the cries of the hurting, but you don't want to leave your secure life.

Regardless of your fears, regardless of your passions, what's most important is that you will become aware that there is more to life than just updating your iPhone and stalking your ex on Facebook. There are real problems in this world, real problems that you are equipped to change. You hold the cure for AIDs. You can free children from sex slavery. You. But you have to move.

In that month, I have never been so spiritually, emotionally and physically exhausted. But now, back in Nashville, I have never felt so motivated, so energized, so close to God and so angry towards the evil in the world.

Because this is how it works: You plus change equals the world plus change.

So. It all comes down to you. Will you dare to dare yourself?

P.S. Europe is a magical place. I highly recommend it and you will grow so much by going there! This is not meant to bash Europe or discourage you from traveling there. I just ask that you consider all of your options and not be afraid to make a less than conventional choice.