Studying abroad is an opportunity given to college kids around the world, but one not many take advantage of. There are numerous factors that may contribute to it: cost, distance, semester length, etc. But generally, most people are just comfortable in their little realm of suburbia. It's cool to talk about going somewhere crazy and being able to just see the world, but that's almost always what it is: just talk. The world, I mean, it's huge. There are 195 countries in this world, why limit yourself to just one? You have the opportunity to study at some of the world's top universities in places you only dreamed about visiting. You have the chance to spend weeks or months living under the Italian sun, or on a beach in Belize, or chugging a beer at Oktoberfest in Germany. There's no reason you should let the possibility of something bad happening to you stop you from living your life.
Since 2013, there has been a school shooting with at least three fatalities almost every day. It's actually considered a mass shooting at that point, and most of these shootings occurred at a college. Statistically speaking, there's more of a chance of me getting shot at just by attending class than there is of me getting blown up abroad. Why would you ever want to leave this country? It's the safest place on Earth. Sure. But something bad could happen to me anywhere, including the United States. I could get my face slashed on the subway, get shot at in college, or just be in the wrong place at the wrong time. Ideally, that's what all of these possibilities ultimately lead to: me being in the wrong place at the wrong time. Terrorism is everywhere, whether you choose to admit it or not. It's here and it's there. You can choose to live in not so blissful ignorance or you can face the facts. There is the chance that something bad can happen to you anywhere. If you live your life like you're in a bubble, you'll never get to experience the truly wonderful things this world has to offer.
So, why should I limit myself to one country? I want to see the statue of David in Italy, I want to eat a croissant and drink wine looking at the Eiffel Tower, and I want to see Big Ben if I so desire. You have your entire adult life to sit home and embrace the comforts of it. Your 20's are your years to be selfish, to live your life on the edge and to explore not only yourself, but the world. Get on a plane. Go somewhere you never dreamed of. Live. You only have one life so you might as well live it the way you want.
