By: Olivia Coelho
Going into college my freshman year, I knew I wanted to study abroad. I knew I wanted to live in another country and travel; the idea of getting to experience new cultures and see places I had only ever seen in pictures seemed so exciting. While I may be biased, as I am currently studying abroad in London this semester, I think it is something everyone should do if they are able to. If you are interested in traveling but unsure if you should study abroad, here is a list of 5 reasons why studying abroad is worth it!
Meeting new people and making new friends: One thing I love about studying abroad is all of the new people I’ve met! I have learned a lot about different cultures in Europe because of the people I talked to while being in London and while traveling to other countries; I have also made friends with other Americans studying abroad in London too. And if you end up making a few friends while you are abroad, it gives you even more reason to come back and visit in the future.
You can practice your language skills: If you decide to study abroad in a country where English is not the official language, it is a perfect opportunity to brush up on your language skills. Even if you are a bit rusty speaking the country’s language, immersing yourself in it is the best way to relearn how to speak it. Plus, practicing and speaking the language can also help you meet new people.
Become more independent: Deciding to study in London for a semester has challenged my sense of independence in the best way possible. I have always been introverted and enjoyed doing certain things alone, which has made living in London great because it is easy to navigate by myself. If you want to learn your way around a new city and push yourself out of your comfort zone, then studying abroad is a great opportunity to do so.
Getting to travel to nearby countries: Something I love about studying in the UK is how easy it is to catch a train or flight to a nearby country. During my time here, I have already been to France, Denmark, and Spain! It’s fascinating getting to experience new places without any prior knowledge and it’s also fun to visit places you always dreamed of going to. Getting to explore not just the UK, but also other countries in Europe has been a rewarding and educational experience I’d recommend to anyone.
Learning more about yourself: This point kind of goes along with becoming more independent, but studying abroad challenges how well you think you know yourself. Having to do things on your own, especially in a different country, teaches you about your strengths and weaknesses; and as you get used to living in a new place, it also offers you the chance to work on these things.
Studying abroad can be an exciting but also daunting experience. It pushes you out of your comfort zone and gets you to immerse yourself in new cultures. If you think studying abroad is something you’re interested in, go for it! Talk with the advisors at Education Abroad – they are super helpful and give great advice that can point you in the right direction. Studying abroad offers many great benefits and opportunities and I hope my insight got you to see some of the reasons why it is worth it.