Why wouldn't you study abroad?Studying abroad is easier than you think.

This week I wanted to write my article about something that a lot of people know about, but few actually do. One thing that colleges across the nation stress to prospective students is their study abroad programs. I remember when I took school tours, I loved hearing about all of the different countries students could study in. Learning about all of the opportunities to study across the globe always excited me about what travel lay ahead. 

While my heart has always been set on studying abroad, so many students never think about taking a semester away from school to study in another country. They worry about many different aspects of studying abroad, which keeps from ever applying to these programs. Many students feel uneasy about making friends in a different country and leaving their friends at home. Another worry is the difficulty of adjusting to life in another country. 

Lots of students study abroad and many other internationals will be in the same program or school that you are enrolled in and they will be encountering the same situations. For this reason, it is not as hard as it seems for students to make new friends. Worrying about transitioning into a different type of lifestyle in a new country is a legitimate problem, but it's no reason to keep you anyone from studying abroad. 

Going to college and living away from home is just as big an adjustment, if not bigger, than attending college in another country. No matter where you study, college students are the same. All college students enjoy sleeping, watching sports and television and drinking. This can be a connecting point for students across the globe.

Another aspect that keeps many students from trying to study abroad is the cost of programs. Many students who attend USC receive academic scholarships. Going to school in Europe, the top destination for many college students, is very expensive, with a very high cost of living. Many third-party programs do offer scholarships to students to help offset costs. USC also offers global exchange programs, which allow students to pay the same tuition they pay to attend USC at various schools across the country. Because of this program that USC offers, I will be able to attend a University in England for a semester, while paying the same tuition I would if I was enrolled at USC. 

I applied to attend the University of Kent in Canterbury, England and will be spending my next semester studying there.

Studying abroad is a great opportunity to travel the world and experience things that you would never be able to do at USC. It’s a chance to try new foods, practice new cultures and meet new friends. Traveling around the world, while receiving college credit, is not something that many people get to experience, so students should take advantage of their opportunities.