From touring colleges to committing, the chances of hearing the words ‘study abroad’ somewhere along your college search are almost guaranteed.
Studying abroad practically feels like a rite of passage for any university student. But, as an undergraduate with no prior experience, how is one meant to decide if studying abroad is the right choice for them?
Around 72% of college students express a desire to study abroad, but only 10% actually do before they graduate. Students tend to like the idea of studying abroad, but when it comes time to make a decision, things can feel overwhelming. However, studying abroad doesn’t have to feel like a burden.
An overwhelming large amount of study abroad programs take place in Europe. Some of the most popular countries include places like Spain, Italy, the United Kingdom, France, and Germany. And just like any form of travel, studying abroad is a great way to be exposed to new cultures. During the formative years of college, when you finally get a chance to explore independence and your identity, culture is especially essential. Being able to experience what it’s like to live in an unfamiliar place while meeting people different from yourself helps you define what it means to be you.
College is a strange in-between phase where you’re on your own and technically an adult, but you don’t yet have to bear the full responsibility of adulthood. Studying abroad is a way to bridge those worlds in a way that doesn’t feel overwhelming.
Living in a land that is not native to your own, surrounded by people speaking a language you do not understand, you learn to be resourceful. While the idea of this may seem challenging at first, this fear quickly dissolves into admiration for the people you meet, your environment, and the experiences you gain.
97% of study abroad students found employment within just 12 months of graduation, while only 49% of graduates found employment within the same period. That means they were twice as likely to find a job. Additionally, 80% of students found that studying abroad allowed them to better adapt to diverse work environments and 84% found that it helped them build valuable skills for the job market. Studying abroad introduces a whole new set of advantages in the work force as students are exposed to a whole new network of opportunities.
“You only live once.” It’s a phrase repeated so often that it tends to lose its meaning, yet its substance will forever hold true. Being a young adult experiencing education in a foreign country is something you will only get to do once. So, if the opportunity presents itself, take it.
In such a dynamic world, however, there are cons to accompany every pro.
College is already a financial burden for many, and piling on study abroad costs may not even be an option for a plethora of students.
No matter how well prepared you may feel, homesickness has a tendency of creeping up on you. While studying abroad, students spend a majority of their time alone. If living on your own does not suit you, perhaps studying abroad is not for you.
Another thing people don’t consider before traveling is language barrier. Even if you think you know a language, experiencing it in the real world is not the same. Applying new skills in a high stress environment often leaves students more stressed than before, and when you don’t know how to properly articulate yourself, isolation tends to become the norm.
Yet, with studying abroad, time and time again, the risk is worth the reward.
While touring colleges, the first thing I always heard was to put yourself out there, often paired with the advice to say ‘yes’ to everything. That’s why I now say: if you have the opportunity to study abroad, do it.
