10 Reasons to Study Abroad

 

It’s an incredible chance to see the world.

Studying abroad is a unique opportunity to live somewhere new and explore a region with minimal responsibilities and interference. When post-graduates travel, it is often wedged between stressful periods of work and responsibility. Getting time off is a challenge. Scrounging up the funds and coordinating conflicting schedules isn't easy. Travel will never be as painless as when you study abroad.

Once you arrive? Do it all. Go on daytime excursions. Drop money on other travels. Squeeze in as much as you can and as many adventures as possible. Every opportunity you have to travel and do something new while you are abroad is special and worthwhile, so take advantage of it!

It’ll extract you from your comfort zone.

This is a good thing. It can be scary to leave the comfort of home—of friends, a city you know well, a routine you're accustomed to. That's natural! It can be overwhelming at first. But as far as personal development goes, being surrounded by people who are just like us—from similar backgrounds, and with similar belief systems is stunting. You become a more well-rounded person when you start to become aware of just how big the world is.

You don't need to be the most adventurous person alive.

You don't have to be an effortless traveler. It's okay to be anxious in unfamiliar situations. You can stress out about the language barrier or meeting new people. Don't let what you think you aren't hold you back from going for it. You will be fine and so glad you did it.

But you will find adventure.

Will you ever. Some of the experiences you have can only happen by studying abroad.  

You’ll expand your global perspective.

Living as a migrant can relieve an instinct to judge another cultures solely be the values and standards of your own culture. The chance to experience life in another place, and more importantly, exchange views and form friendships with people is the catalyst to becoming a more open-minded and tolerant human being.

And meet new friends.

Friendships made while studying abroad will last a lifetime. The more you travel and meet friends from different places, the more pieces of your heart will be scattered across the globe, making you a citizen of the world.

You’ll learn so much about yourself.

For most, studying abroad is about living in a new place for the first time on your own. You may realize how much you enjoy being self-reliant, exploring and discovering new places. The independence offered by studying abroad will absolutely teach you something about yourself.

And grow immensely.

No matter where you spend your time abroad, it will broaden your horizons and contribute to your worldliness, maturity, and cultural credentials. One of the main focuses of being abroad is learning— going to museums, visiting surrounding cities, becoming involved in local cultural happenings. Try to be a sponge to your surroundings, by soaking up as much as you can.

You’ll find a second (or third!) home, to which you can always return.

There is something to be said for feeling at home in multiple places, for having a go-to park, a favorite restaurant or two, an ability to dive back into a once foreign place. People can ask you for recommendations based on your travels.

And you’ll still talk about it years later.

Everyone does. In short, if you have the ability to study abroad, you should jump—LEAP— at the opportunity. Even if you're a little uncertain, even if you're a little unconvinced. Buy the ticket. Take the ride.