At the beginning of every semester, my social media feeds seem to flood with pictures of people studying abroad. Wherever they’re studying, they seem to be having the most wonderful time – as they should, because traveling while being a full time student is awesome! Likewise, there are plenty of open letters to people who are partaking in the study abroad experience, offering words of wisdom for those who will spend the next four months in a foreign country. Everyone just seems so happy in their pictures near the Eiffel Tower and the Leaning Tower of Pisa, leaving those who are still in America, attending the same college, feeling like they’re missing out on this once in a lifetime opportunity. They’ll often feel all types of emotions – sadness, loneliness, jealousy, and regret – none of which are very fun to sit with.
To those who aren’t studying abroad – I’m in the same boat you are. Many people I know, including my older sister, studied abroad, while I chose not to for my own reasons. There are so many reasons as to why people don’t study abroad. Many people cannot afford it. Many people have too many obligations at home that they can’t leave for a prolonged period of time. Many people are in rigorous, structured programs that do not allow them to study abroad. And even if you made the decision to not study abroad on your own, it’s perfectly normal to feel as if you’re missing out on a once in a lifetime, absolutely amazing and life changing opportunity.
The great thing about traveling is that it’s always there. You still have the opportunity to travel when you’re older and more financially stable. You still have the opportunity to visit your favorite places in the amount of time that best accommodates your schedule. You still have the opportunity to take all those cute, tourist pictures that once stirred jealousy in you when you saw them. Even after you graduate, there’s no expiration date on when you can travel.
While studying abroad is an amazing experience, you still have the chance to visit these countries after your graduation, so just remind yourself of that whenever you feel like you’re missing out. Not to mention, there are several graduate school opportunities and service trips you could look into. In the mean time, focus on your loved ones both in and out of the country, do well in school and extra curricular activities, and think about the idea that one day, you’ll experience the same sights your peers that are studying abroad are seeing.
