If you are fortunate enough to have the chance to study abroad, travel the world and make it count! Don't let anything stop you! 

College is a time for new experiences. You have the chance to get involved in interesting clubs and societies on and around campus. You have the opportunity of taking classes about topics you have never heard of before. Simply being part of a community where there is so much diversity and a dynamic lifestyle is a very special thing. Most importantly, college is a time to meet people from all over the world, from places you’ve only dreamed of visiting. While living life to the fullest on a college campus is super fun, the option of studying abroad for a semester is one you can’t just throw away.

Studying abroad is your chance to go to that place that you’ve always dreamed about. You will be introduced to a new culture and an entirely different group of people. They may not have the same beliefs or societal expectations as you, but this is the beauty of emerging into a society that is not your own. At first, it may be hard to accept some of the traditions and actions of the people you will see every day. It can make you feel homesick and like a total outsider. You are not expected to love everything about a new city or its people, but you might discover things that you really enjoy and be introduced to people you will keep in touch with and care for for a very long time. 

Living in another country also means you will be able to try a lot of new food, and you can become knowledgeable and fall in love with a whole new cuisine. You may even come back with special recipes to share with your family and friends. Where can you taste better pizza and pasta than in Italy, or better sushi than in Japan, or better paella than in Spain? All of these new dishes become a part of your radiant and enriching study abroad life. 

Moreover, you may be lucky and be part of big and fun national festivities while you are away, such as Chinese New Year or the Brazilian carnivals. Truth is, there is always a lot to do when you are a visitor in a city. You can have cultural days where you visit museums, look at monuments, and learn about the history of the city. Or, there are usually amusement parks or shopping malls to visit during the days, and restaurants, bars, and nightclubs to visit at night. The style of these places may vary from country to country, but it is an opportunity to branch out and perhaps put the Spanish and French you’ve been studying since middle school to good use. 

Studying abroad opens a lot of gates. It helps you realize how big the world is and how many places and cultures there are to explore.  You’ll realize that this experience will help you grow and become more mature and accepting of the people around you. You will learn the importance of respect and the fact that even though we are all different, we all value the same things, such as family, friends, love, and happiness.

Studying abroad is a great way to form connections, and, if you travel enough, one day you’ll understand how related we all are. In fact, the chances of you finding someone in Philadelphia, for example, who knows someone from Madrid who went to the same program as you in Hong Kong are actually not that small. 

Take advantage of the opportunity to study abroad because even though you are there to work and study, you also have time to travel, explore, and have a lot of fun. Most of all, you will go through an emotional change that you’ll surely remember and value forever.