So You Wanna Study Abroad...

With our ever-shrinking world, it’s becoming increasingly important to gain knowledge about the world and the various cultures that populate it.  A majority of companies hire international employees, so it’s vital to your own personal success as well as the company’s to have a good idea of what the world holds.  Nearly every company and field of study is becoming global.

Apart from your career, studying abroad is the perfect opportunity to grow in your person and develop new skills that you can use in your everyday life.  There is no experience in life that can compare to one that happens in a foreign country. 

College is best time in your life to study abroad; not only do you get the chance to interact with new cultures, but you get learn your chosen field of study along with others.  I think that it’s so cool that there is a person halfway across the planet that you don’t who you can relate to on so many levels.  It’s surreal.

I know what some of you are thinking right now:  ‘I don’t have the money or the time to study abroad’.  That was my reaction at first too, and no, studying abroad isn’t the cheapest experience in the world, but it’s very affordable.  Most colleges work with affiliate colleges in different countries so you pay about the same amount that you would pay to attend the college in which you’re already enrolled.  Likewise, these affiliate colleges offer courses that can match the ones you would take if you were to stay in the states, so you’re not wasting your time, and you’re not blowing your money.

Anyone, and when I say anyone, I mean anyone, can study abroad.  There are 196 countries in the world today, and I guarantee that you would excel in a number of them.  There are also places that probably aren’t for you, so it’s best to do you research and find a destination that aligns with your personality and your goals.

I, for instance, could never see myself studying in Italy.  That’s not to say that I don’t love the country, because I do; I have heritage in Italy.  I would love to vacation there, but when it comes to my goals as a student and my goals as a professional, a city like London, Paris or Beijing resonates more with those goals.

So I support the notion that everyone should study abroad at least once in his or her life.  If you are even considering a study abroad opportunity, talk to someone.  Talk to your adviser; talk to your parents; heck, talk to me.  There are so many people willing to help you through this unexplainable journey, because it is just that.  Unexplainable.  The experience you will get out of your travels is completely different than what I will get out of mine, but in both our situations, we will grow.  We will become strong, independent adults who have a totally different perception of this wonderful world we live on. 

To wrap this post up, I want to know all about your guys’ travels.  Where have you been?  Where do you want to go?  Let’s talk about.  Shoot me an email at [email protected] and tell me your story.  I want to hear it all.

(Photo taken July 2012)