If you’re given the chance to study abroad, just do it.

Not everyone is given that opportunity or is able to take advantage of it when it presents itself. Sure, it may be an expensive trip and the idea of going to a foreign country may be daunting, but you won’t regret your decision to go. If anything, you’ll wish you’d decided to study abroad sooner so that you could do it again. If you need that extra push to start looking into study abroad programs, check out my five reasons and see if there’s not one that catches your eye.

1. Broaden Your Horizons

There’s something special about exploring somewhere unfamiliar with a great group of people. You’ll share new experiences and make valuable memories together. It’s hard not to form strong friendships with people you spend almost everyday with. And when you go back home, they’ll be the people you run to when you feel like reminiscing.

3. Learn new skills

Studying abroad teaches you a lot about the country you’re exploring, but also a lot about yourself, particularly the important skills you forgot to learn beforehand. Like how to read a map. You think it’s easy until you’re stuck in Ireland and trying to figure out where exactly your hostel is located (and how you’re supposed to get there). There’s a lot to learn regardless of where you are or what you’re doing, and you’ll have to figure out pretty quickly.

4. Beautiful Sights

Instead of googling pictures of Big Ben and the Eiffel Tower, you can actually visit these monuments. Believe me, the pictures do not do the real thing justice. And It won’t be just these well known monuments that make you stop and stare. You’ll find yourself catching a sunset on the Thames River. Or end up listening to an extremely talented busker while you wait for a train. There are so many beautiful things to experience, and photographs just can’t capture it all.

5. An Experience You’ll Never Forget

All of those days you spent walking through the city, talking to locals, and exploring will be forever in your memories. Nothing compares to the experience of spending an entire semester (or a year) in a different country. People always say that studying abroad changes you, and it does. You’ll grow in ways you haven’t thought about, and become a better version of yourself. And once you start playing with wanderlust, it never goes away.