Studying abroad allows students to interact with a different culture, and stimulates a new level of education for young adults. (Freepik -onlyyouqj)
Spain, Japan, France, New Zealand, Greece, Costa Rica; there are so many places beyond just the United States, and all of them have something uniquely theirs to offer. The perfect chance to experience new cultures and learn what it is they have to offer is taking the time to get to know the country by spending time there; but with school, it can be challenging to find the time to travel and explore what lies beyond our borders. This is why abroad study is something I believe all students should consider doing at least once in their lifetime.
Abroad study is super important because it allows you to connect with something greater than yourself, and experience a new way of living, a new lifestyle which perhaps you had never considered. Getting to know and connect with others is a beautiful opportunity provided through experiencing new ways of living.
You can grow and accept new ideas when you are introduced to them and experience them first hand, if you take the time to; perhaps you will discover a new tradition, a new spice, new music, new ways of thought, or even a new outlook on life after spending time in another country.
There’s so much to gain from an experience like that—the memories you create and the people you meet can leave a lasting impact on your life. And even if you do not discover anything revolutionary, at least you took the time to get to know a reality much larger than yourself, and discover a new place in our world.
It is so beautiful to take the time to explore and see what lies beyond what is normal to you because there truly is so much out there for us to see.
Studying abroad presents an excellent chance to grow more independence. When you study abroad, while there is lots of support, there are also a lot of things which require you to figure out yourself. It isn’t an experience in which your family can guide you through every step of the way, or even your friends, as chances are that they will be back at home, while you are in a completely different country. This means you will need to rely on yourself to make choices, you will need to adapt to the circumstances and environment, and while it can sound intimidating, being able to rely on yourself for your needs is an important part of living and growing up.
Additionally, studying abroad can help your communication skills. This is because when you study abroad, you need to adapt to communication with people who may not speak the same language as you, or be able to understand you solely based on words. Tone and finding new ways to come to an understanding will be the biggest tools in communicating, both abroad and even throughout your life.
Overall the openness and exposure to this unique experience can help young students grow in new ways, as it forces students out of their comfort zones. The challenges that come with navigating life in a new and foreign environment build up life skills, and problem solving skills which aren’t able to develop in your traditional environments.