We have a little theme going on, don’t we? Recently, I wrote about my own study abroad in college, which took place in Belfast, Northern Ireland. As you might have gathered from the article, it undoubtedly changed my life. For that reason, I thought it would be prudent to write a bit about why everyone should consider studying abroad in college. It’s often far more affordable and manageable than you might think, so read on to find out why you should seriously consider it!
#1: When You Study Abroad in College, You Learn How to Really Be Independent
When you’re in a different country, you don’t have the luxury of calling your parents if something comes up. It will almost certainly be overwhelming at times, whether it’s because you can’t figure out the public transportation system or you’re homesick. On top of that, you need to learn to assimilate into an entirely new culture, potentially speak a different language, and use a new currency. You’ll have to navigate the city, book flights for yourself, balance your budget, and keep up on schoolwork. If an emergency comes up, you’ll need to be able to resolve it on your own and find the appropriate resources.
All of this together can be a lot sometimes. However, the fulfillment and growth that you get by solving these problems are like nothing else. You’ll bring that pride and confidence home with you, and I’d argue it’s one of the best things that you can do for yourself. Once you’re back in your natural setting, nothing will seem too difficult anymore, and you’ll have a lot of faith in yourself.
#2: You’ll Also Gain Once in A Lifetime Experiences
It’s no secret that the experiences you’ll get studying abroad would be impossible back home. From trying new cuisines to flying between countries on weekends to speaking a different language daily, studying abroad brings a ton of novelty. As you’ve probably seen from countless Instagram reels, there is so much to be seen and to do. However, I would argue that the timing is the best part, since you could technically do a lot of that during a vacation. You won’t always have the freedom to spend a prolonged period abroad, so you should take advantage of it!
College is also the perfect time in your life to have these experiences. When you think about it, it’s a low risk time to try new things out. Say you’re considering moving abroad in the future. Why not test it out with a study abroad in college first? Instead of struggling to get a work visa and jumping blindly into a job in a new place, you can try a semester or a month there. By doing that, you get a chance to answer critical questions.
For example, how comfortable do you feel? How do you adjust, and is it something you enjoy? Are you able to speak the language and learn it as you go? Is being away from home for a prolonged period of time too much, or are you able to find a balance? For others, this is the only time they will be able to live in another country due to various obligations. Better still, you have the support and structure of your university, which you wouldn’t have on your own.
All of these are critical things to consider, as it becomes much more difficult to have an experience like this once you’re out of college.
#3: And Resume Boosters
If you’re looking for a way to set yourself apart to potential employers, a study abroad in college could be the way to go. By studying abroad, you gain so many wonderful skills, many by accident or necessity. Like I talk about in this article, soft skills are incredibly important. Studying abroad will help you to build those and provide anecdotes that you couldn’t get at home. Just think about it–when studying abroad, you need to display adaptability, cross-cultural communication, interpersonal skills, and more. Additionally, you might become proficient or fluent in another language. All of these things are characteristics that would make you stand out to an employer! Big picture thinking and an awareness of what’s going on in the wider world are also becoming more and more important to employers. A study abroad in college definitely gives you that! For more characteristics that you can apply to your resume from a study abroad, you can check out this article.
#4: You Could Also Save Money
Contrary to common thought, a college study abroad can save you money if you do it right. Right now, as of December 2022, exchange rates are fairly favorable. The dollar and the Euro are essentially equal. The Pound Sterling is just higher than the dollar. In many Latin American and Eastern European countries, the rate is even more favorable. That is to say, your dollar can buy you more than it might at home.
Additionally, you can take into account the cost of living in various cities compared to your home city. For example, in Barcelona, you can get a pastry and a cappuccino in the morning for the fraction of what a small Starbucks coffee here. A glass of wine costs 3-5 Euro instead of $9-10. I recently got a sweater at a Zara there for 13 Euro, and it would have cost me around $30 upwards here. In many places, the cost of apartments is also lower than it might be here (although your school usually takes care of that for you).
All of this is to say that you should look at the full picture before you study abroad. While your program’s costs obviously need to be factored in (tuition, insurance, housing, flights, etc.), you have a lot of flexibility, especially if you look outside of Western Europe. I knew people who studied in Latin America and Eastern Europe who saved far more than they would have been paying to stay at home, especially when housing costs in San Diego were considered. For this reason, I’d definitely start looking at a study abroad as a potentially strategic investment.
#5: You’ll Expand Your Mindset and Worldview
It’s inevitable that you will encounter new ideas, experiences, and thought processes during a study abroad in college. College is already such a formative time in life when you’re exploring the world. Going beyond your own city, state, and country only increases this truth. We hear all the time about “walking a mile in someone else’s shoes.” Studying abroad is the perfect opportunity for that. Whether it’s new religions, new times to eat during the day, or different language structures, you’ll learn and change. The world will seem a lot bigger, and you’ll feel a lot smaller. However, this is a great chance for growth, as you can incorporate all of this into your life back home.
Studying abroad can also help you to put things into perspective. One of the biggest complaints about the US is that we tend to only look at the world through our view and are egocentric. By traveling and living abroad, you can truly start to view the world through the perspective of the people there and hear their ideas about the world. More often than not, this provides great food for thought when you come back. Suddenly, you no longer only see things one way; you’ve been exposed to much more, and that’s a wonderful thing.
Whether it’s something small like sparking a desire for travel or something large like re-evaluating your life philosophy, studying abroad is sure to broaden your mindset in wonderful ways.
A Final Word
Studying abroad is, undoubtedly, one of the most impactful things you can do during your college experience. Whether it’s simply seeing new places or shifting your mindset entirely, I would highly recommend examining your possibilities. Have you studied abroad? What was your experience? Let me know in the comments!
