Curious about the benefits of studying abroad? They’re endless. It’s time to get out there and see something new. Throw yourself into a state of shock and experience another culture. Move somewhere new to learn a foreign language. How? For example, you can find a way to study abroad through a university program. Do yourself a favor and expand your world view.
Studying Abroad is an excellent way to fulfill school credits or even to snag a unique internship in a completely foreign environment. I chose to study abroad my third year in college to learn Spanish and travel all around Europe. It would be my way to travel to countries outside of America I’ve never been to before.
A lot of people will tell you that “Studying Abroad was an unforgettable experience,” and they’ll portray it as something magical. The benefits of studying abroad they describe aren’t actually valuable. They’ll illustrate all of the best moments from their travels to sell you the fantasy idea that everything in their life is perfect.
You can look at a picture on Instagram of a group of people smiling in front of the Eiffel Tower, but you don’t know that maybe everyone was frustrated with each other a couple of hours before this moment.
The picture with 150+ likes showing a group of friends near a Spanish beach won’t tell you that one of the guys in that picture dropped out of the program to deal with anxiety.
The likes on social media won’t illustrate how someone was struggling with homesickness; they couldn’t wait to return back to their home country. You don’t know if the smiles are fake. Are the likes and comments genuine? Maybe all of their friends on their account are complete strangers.
Perhaps the study abroad site you wanted to check out was a huge letdown. Everything is expensive, and you’re away from all of your closest friends. The culture doesn’t appeal to you, or it’s not anything significantly different from your home. Thankfully, I had a great time abroad. This isn’t to say, however, that I noticed how some people couldn’t stand it. Aside from the numerous benefits of studying abroad, running away from your home won’t solve your problems.
People will feel pressured to live up to the unrealistic standards of every study abroad experience. Unfortunately, some of these people will be disappointed. It’s difficult, and they’ll realize how uncomfortable it is to be outside your safety net.
This is normal, and there’s no use in lying to yourself and others that everything in your life is golden right now.
Stay positive, but be genuine.