I studied abroad at Universidad del Pacifico during the Spring 2015 semester. While it has its challenges, it will be one of the best experiences of your life. You end up in a foreign country where English may or may not be spoken. Either way, it is an incredible experience. Like Mark Twain said:
"Travel is fatal to prejudice, bigotry, and narrow-mindedness, and many of our people need it sorely on these accounts. Broad, wholesome, charitable views of men and things cannot be acquired by vegetating in one little corner of the earth all one's lifetime."
1. You learn to be responsible
If you've never lived away from your parents, this is the perfect opportunity! You'll have to find a place to live, whether it is through your school or on your own AND you get to make up (most of) the rules. When you come home, you will take comfort in the fact that your parents have way more food than you ever did on your own.
2. You get to try new foods
2. You learn to manage your possessions
Maybe you aren't very good at keeping up with your wallet, or you are always losing your keys. You'll learn to keep them safe because terrible things will happen if you don't. (Like being stuck there forever or getting deported). I was paranoid of losing my passport or anything that wasn't easily replaceable. Therefore, I figured out how to hide things under my clothes using a Vera Bradley Zip ID Case and a fanny pack I picked up at a bus stop.
3. Public transportation
Subways are bae and buses are awesome.
I'm from a small town so we don't have public transportation. But it is super cheap and better for the environment. The idea of taking a taxi still scares me, and who has the money for that anyway? Especially when student metro cards let you use subways and buses for a discounted price!
4. You find yourself
You want to go out every night and party? Great. You want to stay in and study? Also a good choice.
When you are abroad, you have the option to choose what you do and do not do. It helped me find myself and I believe it can help you find yours.
5. Your friends make themselves known
6. You make new friends!
7. You learn about the economy
You learn the best and worst exchange rates, you get to use new money, and buying things with that money is an experience in itself. How do I even use this colorful paper they call money?
And what’s with all the coins?
8. You visit new places
And when you can take trains and buses for very little money, you'd be crazy not to. In these new places...
9. You get to do exciting things
Like zip lining,
wine tasting tours,
music festivals, and staying in questionable hostels (where the people are really nice and they have pet dogs)
10. New slang
11. You'll become multicultural
Culture shock, like homesickness, is also real. It is difficult at first to merge into a new way of doing things. By the time you leave, however, the country will feel like home to you and you'll feel sad that you have to leave. But when you come home...
12. You will appreciate the little things
When I returned to Arkansas, everything was SO GREEN. Granted, I had just left winter for summer. Seeing the stars still amazes me, because I couldn't see them very well from my first floor apartment that was surrounded by tall buildings. It was typically difficult to see the stars anyway because of light pollution.
Family sized groceries. Almond milk. Real orange juice.
There are many opportunities to study abroad. If you are interested, consider asking your adviser, talking with the head of the international department (in the International House at Henderson), or doing research online. It is never too early to start asking questions!
