1. Studying abroad is the best way to travel! Who doesn‘t like to travel? There are an infinite amount of reasons why people enjoy traveling. People work and wait ALL year to take just a week-long vacation. While spending a week in a foreign country can be exciting, it is simply not possible to get a full grasp of the culture you’re trying to learn about. Studying abroad provides you with the opportunity to learn about a country on an intimate level. You can really get to know a culture by living in it for longer than just a week. Plus, you can get awesome scholarships or funding to make it one of the most affordable ways of traveling. 2. You get to make friends from all over the world! I sat around a dinner table with people from all over the world—Estonia, Germany, France, Romania, Turkey, Russia, Japan, Mexico, and the United States—and it was amazing. Each of us brought our own unique background to the table (literally and figuratively). We found out rather quickly that we had a lot in common. On the other hand, there were things discussed that we had never heard or thought of before. Our conversations took many different twists and turns throughout the evening. I learned a lot and made 10 new friends sitting around that dinner table. None of us knew anyone in Estonia before coming to study abroad here. Foreign exchange students get the opportunity to meet fellow exchange students and other individuals from the host country. Studying abroad places strangers in your life who leave as family. 3. You gain a new outlook on your own culture! There is something peculiar that happens when you learn about your own country or culture from someone that has never been there. If you come from a country that is center-stage on a global level, it only makes sense that people all over the world will have their own opinions and stereotypes about who you are. These preconceived notions can be both good and bad for your reputation. Looking at your culture with a new perspective makes you critically evaluate your daily life and culture in your home country. Studying abroad helps you see your country the way that others do. 4. Studying abroad makes you appreciate the little things! Peanut butter. Cheap avocados. Stick deodorant. Calling my mom whenever and wherever I want. And SO. MUCH. MORE. Living without things you used on a daily basis can be an adjustment, but it is a trade-off that pays off in the end. You leave your study abroad experience with the ability to adapt and a gratitude for the little things! 5. Studying abroad provides independence & personal development! There isn‘t anything more exhilarating than getting off an airplane by yourself in a foreign country. Establishing your life in a new land with a new language can seem daunting. Let me assure you… EVERYTHING WILL WORK OUT! You really learn how to rely on yourself when you study abroad. After a short period of time public transportation is no longer baffling and translating basic words becomes second nature. Not only do you gain a sense of accomplishment when you realize you are independent, you also gain a plethora of other skills. Studying abroad makes you responsible and a professional problem solver! Patience and perseverance are just two skills that you are sure to gain with your time in a foreign country. 6. You can learn a new language! In an ever-globalizing world, it is becoming increasingly more important to speak another language. While learning a language from Duolingo or a textbook is possible… I wouldn’t say it’s the most effective way. Throw yourself into an immersion program to really hone in on your language skills. An immersion program not right for you? That’s okay. Being in a foreign country makes it easy to practice at your own pace. Many countries offer free language courses if you reside there! 7. Studying abroad improves your education! Learning styles differ across cultures. Studying abroad gives you the opportunity to experience a new style and to diversify your education. Your host university might also offer courses that your home university doesn’t. For example, I took a class on Korean Society and Politics while studying abroad. My host university had a partnership with several Asian schools which led to them gaining access to the resources to teach that class. I would not have been able to learn everything I did about the North and South Korea without studying abroad in Eastern Europe! Talk about an international education, right? 8. Studying abroad widens your career opportunities & makes your resume more appealing! The skills that you gain while studying abroad can be exactly what your future employer is looking for! Your knowledge of intercultural communication and a willingness to actually DO something are invaluable to your future. After you gain a new home in your host country, you will gain professional connections and access to new networks there. Those connections can potentially turn into a new opportunity to return to your host country. Even if you don’t return to work, studying abroad is a great point of conversation. My study abroad experience gets brought up in almost all of my professional interviews! 9. You are suddenly a celebrity in your hometown! (My mom told me she couldn’t tell this was sarcasm—it is). Let‘s face it—studying abroad is cool! Once you leave, suddenly everyone is interested in what you’re doing. 10. Studying abroad gives you something to talk about for the rest of your life! The memories that you gain while studying abroad are and will continue to be priceless. The only challenge that will come from your study abroad experience is not being able to stop talking about it when you return to your home country. You will likely annoy your friends! I think this is most properly explained by the following tweet:
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