Two years ago, I made the decision to pack my bags and study abroad in Germany for a year. I knew next to no German, and I went completely by myself. I was not sure what to expect, but I remember being more excited than nervous and only slightly terrified by the fact that I was going to a foreign country of which I did not speak the native language.
My year abroad in Germany was not easy; it had its ups-and-downs, but I do not regret one minute of it. I learned so much and gained many new experiences and friends. I had my eyes opened to world perspectives I had never before considered. It was both humbling and freeing. I also felt like I had the world at my fingertips with the easy access to public transportation nearly everywhere in Europe. I learned patience real fast through all my traveling; traveling by bus for over fourteen hours with only one layover is not for the impatient nor the fainthearted.
My year-trip abroad was an overall great experience, and while not everyone should feel inclined to spend a year abroad, I recommend studying abroad, in any form (for instance, a few weeks in the summer or one semester), to everyone. I believe it is an experience from which anyone can benefit. That all being said there are three main reasons why anyone should study abroad if given even the slightest opportunity:
The first reason is that it exercises independence and the ability to think and act on your own. It causes you to grow stronger and more self-reliant. Studying abroad means living away from all your family and friends. It means living and learning in a new and unfamiliar environment.
Second, studying abroad allows you to get up close and personal with a different culture. You are able to experience the way of life of people different from your own. You get to taste new foods and drinks and learn of different types of traditions.
Last but not least the third reason is that it also broadens your mind and improves your knowledge. One’s own perspective is small and limited, but traveling and living and studying abroad in a new country gives you the chance to expand your worldview, to see the world from someone else’s eyes. It gives a new understanding and appreciation of people.
This is not an experience limited to one country or even one major. I asked a few Troy University students about their experience with studying in a foreign country and what they took from that experience.
An American Global Business student who studied abroad in Nürnberg, Germany for a year said, “Anyone can tour a place, but not everyone can say they have lived there. I appreciate the most the experience and the self-growth.”
A Chinese international student studying English at Troy stated, “I chose to study abroad because I desired to grow in many ways. The native English environment is a challenge but a great environment for my skills’ development, and I want to gain a better me through all the troubles and nice things.”
An American Marketing student who took a two-week course in France during the summer said, “I would recommend studying abroad in general to anyone to go anywhere because it’s such a mind opening and humbling experience. It really changes your way of thinking about everything. You get to see in person the things you read about in history books or see in movies. It’s just an amazing experience.”
There is a wide, wide world out there, and studying abroad is just the first step towards it. It is more than the education you receive. The world is made of people, and people create half of the wonders that you see in the world.
