We all have those moments in life. You know, those breathless moments that you daydream about afterwards for what feels like an eternity. The devastating feeling of depression kicks in as the moment comes to an end and you are forced to face the reality that time doesn’t pause for anyone. Four months studying abroad in Prague was my perfect moment; the one that can’t seem to escape my thoughts. It was a strand of months where I felt nothing but high on life and adventure. I never in a million years thought that this trip would change my perspective of the world, humanity and most of all, myself.
For those who know me well, I am not spontaneous. I usually don’t like taking risks and stepping outside of my comfort zone is like walking on pins and needles. I have always admired those who don’t allow fear and hesitation to stand in the way of pursuing passions or making a life-long dream a reality. That’s why when I learned of the opportunity to study abroad, not only did my heart race with anticipation and anxiety but I suddenly felt the motivation to add some adventure to my fairly average life. Having the opportunity to study abroad is by far one of the greatest blessings you can encounter in your years of youth. Here are five reasons why choosing to study abroad could be the best decision of your life (it certainly was for me).
1. You will make friends from all around the world.
New experiences mean encounters with fresh faces. Studying abroad pretty much guarantees forming some of the most interesting friendships of a life time. You are bound to meet new people from places you’ve never even thought about and forming some of the most beautiful relationships. Remember the world is smaller than we tend to think and everyone has something in common.
2. You will achieve a confidence in yourself unlike any other.
Traveling can be fairly scary especially upon arrival to an unknown destination. You are living in a new place with new daily occurrences. The adaption process is far from easy and is often accompanied by feelings of loneliness and homesickness. You may find yourself lost in a big city or unable to speak the local language. As the adaption process continues, you are forced to face these challenges as they become part of a daily routine. Your confidence will sky rocket as you become even more aware of your growing capability.
3. You will gain further understanding of the world that surrounds you.
Studying abroad means having to acclimate both physically and mentally to your temporary home. That’s right; you will be living just like a local does, going grocery shopping at the store on the corner, collecting the mail, etc. It’s a given that the differences will be extensive but we all know that experiencing these cultural variances first hand is the only way to even begin understanding them.
4. You will have countless, unforgettable adventures.
It is safe to say that it’s a complete rarity for everything to go perfectly according to plan during travel. Being someone who has traveled a decent amount, I have learned to make the best of these unplanned encounters. Some of my most memorable moments during travel were complete accidents. Sometimes the best memories are the ones that were unintentional.
5. You will have a whole new cuisine at your finger-tips (or should I say taste buds).
No matter what destination you choose to study abroad, the local cuisine will be worth exploring. Even picky eaters may surprise themselves with a new found appetite for adventurous eating. Maybe your new favorite food is just waiting to be discovered. Studying abroad means stretching your limits and trying anything and everything no matter how strange or different
