Last week I was entirely set on studying abroad in the fall of 2017. As of this week, my applications read "spring 2018." What provoked this transition?

Originally, I was interested in going in the fall for a few reasons. It slightly scared me to be in another country when I'd need to apply to all my summer internships, and I rather worry about that within a couple hours of my parents than from across an ocean. Also, I was heavily considering building a portfolio for Architecture graduate school, a task that would prefer me to be on campus the consecutive semesters of spring 2018 and fall 2019. These facts used to take higher priority.

Why don't they anymore? Well, study abroad is something most people only get to do once in their lives. The best experience possible is my priority, and I am not sacrificing that now for a future internship I've not even applied for or a tentative plan that can be worked out alternatively if need be. These factors, I realize now, weigh nothing against the reasons to go in the spring.

All of my friends will be abroad in the spring. So, not only will I be without my friends if I am here in the spring, I would miss out on the chance to travel in Europe with them and to experience something life-changing in their company. That is something I realize should be weighed most heavily.

Also the spring program I am looking at will grant me two more months abroad than it would in the fall, and I want all the time I can get. Granted, it is slightly more expensive, but there are some experiences you just can't put a price tag on, and I'm hoping my time abroad will be full of them.

It should be noted that fewer students go abroad in the fall, so any competition for scholarships and general admission would be considerably lessened for that study period. However, if you, like I, are a person who won't let that halt you... well, don't let that halt you! Apply for the spring, because you are a beast, and nothing will get in your way (this coming from a girl who's yet to apply and as no clue of her study abroad fate).

Anyhoo, most decisions at this point in my life are big ones, and most of them are hard. This was no different. But after a few conversations with my parents and study abroad advisors, and a nice list of pros and cons, I believe my decision will turn out to be the right one. At least, I'll never know otherwise!