When I first started college, I thought that I needed to double major (studying theatre isn’t necessarily considered to be the most reliable). I had really enjoyed languages, so I decided to make my other major Spanish. A requirement for this major was to study abroad in a Spanish-speaking country. At first I was pretty excited for this opportunity, because I had always wanted to study abroad. I had always considered places like Australia, England, and Ireland – all English-speaking countries.
As the time approached for me to choose where to go, I considered places like Cuba and Costa Rica, but ultimately ended up applying to universities in Buenos Aires, Argentina, and Rio Piedras, Puerto Rico. I was accepted to both universities, which was exciting for me! I had been told by my professors that Argentina would be more of a different culture, so I started leaning to go there.
As time went on, though, I realized how much I was loving my college, my friends, and theatre more and more; subsequently, I was loving Spanish less and less. I began to dread going to my Spanish classes. My school has a required class to take once during our four years in May, and I was given the opportunity to go to England to study theatre – a prospect that piqued my interest way more than studying in Argentina did.
I began to understand that I simply wasn’t interested in Spanish anymore; I knew and appreciated the language, but I just didn’t want to major in it anymore. The thought of spending an entire semester in a Spanish-speaking country was something I didn’t want, and I preferred to stay on campus and explore all of the opportunities I would be given here. The time came for an important decision – to not go abroad. I figured it was best for me, so I let the appropriate people know and proceeded to pick out my classes for that semester.
After the time I was supposed to be abroad came and went, I realized that it was one of the best decisions I had ever made. I had time to make more money through my different jobs, meet incredible people and make incredible bonds that might not have been possible before, and even do a show where I both sang and choreographed dances. Although I might have had completely new experiences in Argentina, I had experiences here at home that I wouldn’t have given up for the world. I did go to England for that May class, and I enjoyed myself more than I could have ever imagined; however, I couldn’t even fathom going to a new country and speaking a new language for even longer than I was in England. Study abroad is an amazing opportunity and I think anyone who wants to go should do whatever they can to get there; but for those who don’t want to or can’t go, there is absolutely nothing wrong with that.
