There is a particular narrative that seems to surround studying abroad in college, and it's that of the American who flies to Europe for 4 straight months of partying and traveling, all while almost never setting foot on their university's campus. But what about if that lifestyle doesn't appeal to you? What if you're an introvert?
The thing that people often forget is that no two study abroad experiences are alike. And while most people might take advantage of it as an opportunity to constantly party without consequence, that doesn't have to be your experience if you don't want it to be. When studying in another country, it's important that you get what you want out of it, regardless of whether that's the stereotypical experience or not. But if you're not going to constantly go out all the time, then what's the point of studying abroad?
Well for me, I wanted to really experience what life is like living in a different country. In the same way that I grew to love my hometown and college town, I wanted to explore every nook and cranny of my new city, and really become a part of it. This also meant going out of my way to try new restaurants and cafes in every part of the city, not just those right around me. Sometimes I would purposely take the bus to the wrong stop, just to a see a new part of the city I otherwise wouldn't.
I also wanted to know what it's like to be a student in a foreign country, which meant spending a lot of time in class and on campus. I wanted to take advantage of the educational perspective I would gain from studying in a new place, and that meant taking challenging courses and engaging with professors one-on-one. I also wanted to talk to and meet with local students, not just other Americans, to find the similarities and differences in our lifestyles.
Even though my study abroad wasn't the "typical" experience, I wouldn't change a thing about it. I would also recommend studying abroad to anyone who's considering it. But if your concern is that you don't think you want the kind of lifestyle that you usually hear students talking about, just know that studying abroad is an experience uniquely your own. And whether you go to party or go to live a quieter life, I've yet to meet someone who's regretted their time abroad.
