Study Abroad.
Just hearing those words gave me a terrible case of wanderlust. For a girl who had never been out of the country, studying abroad seemed way out of reach. Here I was taking out student loans to cover my freshman year, how could I ever afford to go abroad and study?
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I'm here to tell you that it's possible. About a month after I committed to MSU I heard about Michigan State's amazing program known as Freshman Seminars Abroad. I looked into it, and within days made a very bold decision to go study abroad in Ireland. Both my parents and sisters were taken back at the spontaneity of the decision, and it's easy to see why. How I was going to cover the cost was a daunting question that followed me from that exhilarating moment when I signed up to go overseas. So here's my tip for you:
Stop wishing that things could happen, and start looking for ways to make them happen.
Seriously! I stopped wishing I had more money to study abroad, and started looking for ways to make it a reality. It's going to be a lot of work, but if you're going to be a jet-setter you need to put in the effort. I started applying for every single scholarship and financial aide opportunity I could (and there are a lot out there!) and started picking up extra shifts at work. I saved money like crazy, got an on-campus job for the fall, and somehow things just fell into place. Go talk to the people in the office of study abroad...they can help you find a program that works best for you. Like I said, if you're serious about it, you will always find a way to make it work!
Yes, studying abroad is a lot of money, but I promise you that every penny is worth it. You will make friends that last a lifetime, make valuable connections with professors, and get an experience like none other. So if you're going green, try going abroad!
