In the first half of my Junior year at school (or in Berklee terms, my sixth semester), I up and moved across the sea to Valencia, Spain. I had only ever lived in a ten-mile radius around Boston, and while I'd had plenty of experience traveling, I had never spent more than a month away from my comfy bed. I spoke some Spanish and some Italian, but I had never had to apply my linguistic knowledge, except to order drinks around the Mediterranean with my parents in Highschool. I craved travel, and the freedom to explore another world without my mother and her credit card chaperoning me. Here are ten reasons why I believe everyone should experience life in another country.

1. The Food

I don't know about you, but food for me is honestly a way of life. I prioritize with what I eat and when over most things. I find myself daydreaming about when class is out so I can grab dinner. But the food abroad is always amazing. It's all a new experience, with pasta in Italy, ham and paella in Spain, bread and cheese in France. You've had all of these things before, but not like this. Traveling abroad will allow you to understand what a delicacy is.

2. The Drinks

You will learn overseas that other countries have a different attitude on drinking, and it's so healthy for you to be exposed to these attitudes so you can really learn what drinking responsibly means, because in this case, America has probably failed you. You also wouldn't believe the drinks you can find around the world. Wine in Spain, Italy and France is absolutely unbelievable. Anywhere you travel will provide you with a new exciting way of intaking alcohol, most of which classier than what we are used to here in the United States.

3. The Flea Markets

This was probably my favorite part. Do some research about any city you plan to visit, and find a flea market. You can find the most amazing artifacts through cobblestone streets; I bought everyone in my family (both immediate and extended) gifts for under $50 by poking through flea markets. Search for street sellers around tourist-y areas, and make sure you have cash. If you are confident enough, you can test your language skills and try to barter for a lower price. You can learn about what the locals spend their time hand-creating, and you can take a little piece of the adventure home with you. Every location has different artifacts and specialties. At the end of the day, you could go home with hand-woven blankets, hand-made jewelry and a new journal for your adventures. All for what costs less than a new shirt at Forever 21.

4. Traveling alone

This is so important for you to do. While It's crucial for you to be aware of your safety and where you're going, don't be afraid to travel alone! Traveling by yourself builds your confidence in your independence. There's nothing like hopping an international plane or train to boost your assurance in yourself and your ability. It also lets you really see the world and open your eyes, without the distraction of other people. If you're traveling with a big group, you shouldn't be afraid to wander off on your own. Being alone also gives you the opportunity for split-decisions and changing plans, without needing to ask anyone else. It gives you the power to make all your own decisions.

5. No Phone

You would most likely not have a phone. More often than not, no matter what you do, even if you have an international plan, even if you pour money into having a cell, it will not work. This is not a bad thing. Unplugging is so important for people- while I understand that being online is the exact opposite of being antisocial, it takes away from what's around you. Check in on your computer when you find wifi in your hostel, your airbnb or dorm. Also, you can sign up for wifi hotspots, which worked great for me. Bring an iPod with you that has a camera, and you'll be all set. When I first got to Europe, it felt weird for me to walk down the street and just look around, not distracted by a screen. Eventually, I was accustomed to not having a phone, and even now I can walk down the street and appreciate the things around me more than I did before.

6. No Money

While you'll probably have some funds saved up, you will be forced to learn a whole new way of budgeting. Traveling is so important, and the biggest cost you'll need to support is the actual traveling to your location. But from my experience, this isn't as expensive as you would think, especially if you plan in advance. Having no money lets you see as much of a destination as you possibly can. There's plenty to do in every city and country that costs absolutely no money. Having no money brought me on a number of adventures through cities. You will learn to be more frugal, all while seeing that you can have (more) fun that way.

7. The Culture

Anywhere you go will be a culture shock. Every day, you will wake up and appreciate that you live somewhere strange to you. If you're not in the states, you'll experience culture shock. And while some countries have very similar designs in infrastructure, their uniqueness is still apparent. The different attitudes people have will show you a new way of life. Opening your eyes to a new culture will allow you to open your eyes to more things every day.

8. The Fun

Of course, the fun you'll have is high on this list. While you can have fun at your home base school, and go to game day or a concert or have any number of experiences, those aren't out-of-the-ordinary for you. The fun you have overseas will be completely alien to you. You will go places you have never been to, and meet people you will probably never see again. The excitement is enough to make any experience that much more special. You fun will be once-in-a-lifetime, life-changing, and life-altering. The freedom you will have in other countries is incomparable to your experiences at home.

9. The Loneliness

Maybe this part is just me. But being away from home for the first time, for five months, almost six, I was lonely. The best company that I found was myself. I got to learn so much about myself, because I spent so much time with me. I took long walks down the beach in Spain, I hula hooped down the street in Italy, I drank wine on the coast in France.You will get to enjoy your own company, and be more comfortable with yourself in doing so.

10. The Friends

This is the most important reason. I met so many amazing people outside my program, and learned so much from the locals. Meeting new people and making new friends in another country allows you to see yourself through other peoples' eyes. I made lasting friendships. I met a whole new group of people who supported me and got to know me. I still talk to these people every week, if not every day. We continue to have experiences together, even though some don't live in Boston with me anymore. Some of the students I met and became close with live in Boston now, and so I see them all the time, and we get to reminisce about our adventures. The friends you make will be friends for a lifetime, because your experiences together are unlike any other you would've had at home.

I think it's so necessary for everyone to travel abroad during their time in college. It opens your eyes to the possibility that you could actually live anywhere. It lets you grow during a crucial time of your life, where you should be experiencing wider horizons and opening your mind. You learn more about other political workings of the world around you. You understand that the way of life you are so used to at home is not the only way. Experiencing these things for yourself are crucial for growing up into an educated, well-rounded, open adult.