Going abroad is often considered a rite-of-passage for Penn State juniors, particularly those in Greek life. Many people, however, choose to remain in State College when others go abroad, or to do a co-op to get work experience that will help them get a job after graduation.

The men in Penn State Greek life have diverse majors and interests, and the places they are going and their reasons for doing so run the gamut from the desire to travel, to the need to complete coursework, to the pressures of getting job experience.

Personally, going abroad was a top priority for me from the day I set foot on campus as a freshman, so even though it has meant taking classes every summer since then in order to complete two majors and a minor in four years, I will be shipping off to Seville, Spain in January to spend a semester living abroad with nine of my best friends. I’m not sure that any other Greek organization can match a number that large in a single city—needless to say, I couldn’t be more excited.

As for Greek men going abroad, the destination is generally somewhere in Europe, and the goals are generally travel and a change of scene.

"I’m going abroad to Prague, [Czech Republic]. I wanted to take advantage of the opportunity to go travel Europe with my friends. My parents also wanted the in-state tuition,” said Greg Black, a junior and member of Sigma Chi. “Luckily, I don’t have any big major requirements to fill over there. I’m mostly looking forward to getting away from Penn State Greek life and experiencing a new type of party scene.”

Penn State students who choose to take a semester abroad almost exclusively do so in the spring of their junior year, which comes at a time when many have tired of the same schedule every weekend, but are often not 21 yet and can’t go to the State College bars.

“My family has always been big on traveling, so I always knew studying abroad was something I was interested in. And after hearing how great of an experience it was from everyone that went last year, I was all for it,” said Johnny Seybold, a junior and member of Delta Sigma Phi. “Unfortunately, for business majors like myself, going to Barcelona, [Spain] doesn’t offer any credits that will count toward a Smeal degree…since I know what Barça is like, I am willing to sacrifice a senior year schedule jammed with required courses in order to study abroad in the city I want.”

Many people, however, have strict requirements for their majors and simply can’t go abroad and graduate in four years.

“My major (mechanical engineering) made it very difficult for me to work out a plan that would allow me to go [abroad] without having to take summer classes. Also, the majority of my friends in engineering are not going. I’m hoping to get the chance to travel Europe sometime later in my life,” said Mike Ibarguen, a junior and member of Pi Kappa Phi.

Others sought out opportunities to better their resumes through job experience, and simply could not give up the opportunity to spend a semester abroad.

“I have a co-op working for Johnson and Johnson [near New York City] next semester. I’d consider myself very worldly, and traveling the globe is something I plan on doing in my life. That being said, it’s not easy being a finance major. My desire is to work in the Financial Services Industry, which is very competitive. So the advantage of being able to interview for summer positions in person was something I considered.  Additionally I’m semi-fortunate to be ahead in school and do not have any General requirements left, so persuading my parents that I should go abroad without taking classes was a losing battle,” said Scott Glassman, a junior and member of Beta Sigma Beta.

Glassman also already has an internship with JP Morgan Chase secured for next summer, so ladies, send in your applications for marriage proposals soon.

Then, there are the guys who just decided to stay in State College because they don’t want to miss a semester away from Penn State.

“I’m not going anywhere near Europe next semester, said Greg Joy, a junior and member of Delta Tau Delta. I’m not going to any of those smaller, weirder counties either Burma, Guam, Banana Republic. I’m staying right here in beautiful central Pennsylvania. And I’m only 50% regretting it. I’m not saying you should never go to Europe, just not right now. Europe will be there, I promise. You know what won’t always be there? Indigo. It’s a lot easier to be 50 and dragging a camera around Europe than pulling the same stunt at Indigo. It’s off-putting.”

 All the guys, regardless of what track they decided to take, have a lot to look forward to when in comes to their junior year spring semesters, and they have plans to make the most of their time.

"The great part about being in Greek life is that not all of your friends are going to study abroad in the same place, so I am looking forward to visiting my friends in other cities and countries around Europe. Also, [I’m looking forward to] being able to meet up with people in Dublin, Ireland for St. Patty’s Day, or in the Swiss Alps to go snowboarding,” Seybold said.

I know that as far as my sorority is concerned, about half our juniors are going abroad, and we’ll be in six different cities around the world, so visiting my friends in other locations around Europe is definitely a top priority.

For those who decided to stay back, however, the excitement for spring semester generally comes from finally turning 21 and getting to venture out to the bars, and from the prospect of getting to visit friends abroad over spring break.

“I’m most looking forward to being 21 in the city that never sleeps but naps constantly. I’m looking forward to frat IM basketball (there’s a rumor circulating my house that they’ll let me on the team this year). I’m looking forward to trying to get an internship. I’m looking forward to making the most of my four years here, shooting out the lights, and riding off into the sunset guns a-blazin’,” Joy said.

“I’m looking forward to the experience I’ll garner next semester working for one of the world’s 50 largest companies. I have a great internship lined up this summer working for JP Morgan Chase, so the skills I develop this semester can help me receive a full-time offer this summer. More importantly, I am looking forward to having a foot in many social scenes. I plan on visiting Penn State almost every week with a nice paycheck to finance my bar tabs. Additionally, I have some friends in Philly so I plan on spending some weekends in the city with them. Lastly, being a THON chair for my fraternity, it’s an added advantage that I will be able to come up and attend THON this year,” Glassman said.

Many members of Greek life who go abroad cite missing THON as their biggest disappointment from choosing to leave State College in the spring, and I’m personally jealous that Scott will be both making money (instead of spending it all on tapas and airline flights), and that he will be able to make it to all 48 hours of Penn State’s Dance Marathon.

n regards to staying in touch with their friends who won’t be in the same city as them next semester, the guys all said they plan to keep in touch via texting and the Internet, and that there will be much intra-Europe travel for those who are going abroad. The guys staying back in State College all said they hope to take a spring break trip to Barcelona, where many Penn State students will collect for one weekend—AbroadFest.

AbroadFest took place for the first time last year in Barcelona. It will occur again this March, and is a giant festival that many Penn State students who are studying all over Europe, as well as those in State College for the semester, attend to reunite with each other and spend a weekend exploring the bar scene together in one of the largest and most metropolitan European cities, famous for keeping people out until 5 a.m.

There is a lot to be said about the benefits of both going abroad and staying Stateside, but the guys all recommended that younger students at least explore the potential of studying abroad, even if they ultimately decide it’s not for them.

“My advice for younger students would be to definitely go abroad, and to think about it early so you aren’t held back by major requirements or other avoidable issues,” Black said.

“Younger students should probably go abroad. The profile pictures you get out of your experience will make up for your travel expenses ten times over,” Joy said.

 I appreciate the sarcasm, Joy, but it’s not going to keep me from posting upwards of five profile pictures from various locations around Europe while I’m abroad. I’m not above that.

“Obviously I haven’t been yet, but I am a huge supporter of studying abroad. I think it really adds to the college experience and becoming a better-rounded individual by the time you walk across the stage. Like I said before, I have traveled abroad before and the culture is so different then here at Penn State, it is a huge learning experience to be able to see how the rest of the world lives,” Seybold said.

I wholeheartedly agree, Seybold, but I know the abroad experience isn’t for everyone. Whether they don’t want to leave home for that long or can’t afford a semester away, either academically or financially, I have known many juniors who have elected not to go abroad and have thoroughly enjoyed their junior spring semesters.

So seniors, reminisce on your good times from last spring as you head into your (potentially) final semester of college, and make sure to go out with a bang—we’ll miss you. Juniors, make the most of this next semester, whether you’re traveling across the world, across the country, or just across campus. You can have an incredible time no matter what you’ve chosen to do—you just have to have the right mindset. Sophomores and freshmen, look into going abroad now so you can fit it into your graduation plan should you decide it’s something you’re interested in. To all, embrace the time you have at Penn State, because, unfortunately, we can’t stay forever. I’ll be taking a semester of leave form my column while abroad, so to all—bon voyage!