As my second semester is coming to a close, so will my sophomore year of college. Lucky enough for me, I was able to spend the entire school year abroad in Argentina. If you are someone who is able to study abroad like I was, I would highly recommend it. Here are a couple reasons out of the many why you should.
1. To travel
More likely than not, you will be given various breaks or long weekends throughout your time abroad. If that does not spell out “Travel Break” to you then I do not know what would. Your program is literally telling you to leave and go fly around the world. During my travel breaks I visited places I only dreamt of –– Rio de Janeiro, Machu Picchu, Iguazu Falls, Patagonia, and many others. Traveling is something you will not always be able to. I encourage you to do it while you are young and capable. When again will you be able to travel around the world for six months without any responsibilities? Probably never again.
2. The memories
I can guarantee you that your time abroad will make for the best memories. Being in a foreign country with your friends is the perfect recipe for a good time. And with good times come even better memories. I have had some of the best times of my life while abroad. Whether it be walking around a foreign city with no sense of direction at 4 A.M. or it be sipping caipirinhas on a beach in Brazil in 90 degree weather. The best part about making the memories is looking back at them with the friends you created them with. Until you are in a dreaded class lecture and start reminiscing only to realize how much better your life was then.
3. The freedom
You are living in a foreign country. No one to tell you “Be home before 11!” or “No, you cannot go out tonight, you have an 8:30 A.M. tomorrow.” It’s nice being able to have seemingly unlimited freedom for once in your life, let me tell you. This entails a lot of freedom, and you are the one who decides to do what you want with it.
4. The culture
Going abroad is the perfect time to experience a foreign culture. Whether it be not knowing a single word of their language, or trying all the new food and gaining 10 pounds in one semester. The culture is what makes the society, and coming to know a different culture is truly amazing. You learn a lot about your own culture and understand the values of another. Also, it’s a big change being the foreigner in a country. But nonetheless, it has been amazing coming to know the South American culture and trying their signature foods along with everything else their wonderful culture has to offer.
5. The friends
If you live with a fixed group of students like yourself for a couple months, you will all build friendships that are truly incredible. You see them almost every day, you travel with them, and you go out with them. There’s no way you will not befriend each and every one of them. I know more about some of the guys in my program that I met 3 months ago than I do friends I have known since freshman year of high school. The friends you make abroad are the ones that last. Also, when study abroad ends, you go back to school with a whole new friend group. I am able to say that some of my best friends are the ones I met abroad, and cannot wait to keep that friendship going once this journey ends.
Now, I’m not saying you have to study abroad. But I am saying that I would recommend it. It will be the best time of your life, hands down. I promise you that once you arrive, you will not want to leave. I leave this beautiful country, Argentina, in three days and wish I could stay here for much longer. If you are given the opportunity to study abroad, do it. I don’t know about you, but I’d rather study with a margarita in my hand on a beach in Rio de Janeiro than in my school library. But hey, that’s just me. What do you prefer?
