Studying abroad has been one of the best decisions I’ve ever made. Living in a new country (in my case, Canada) is the easiest way to learn the language, become more independent, experience new places and cultures, make friends from around the world, and pick up life-giving skills. If you’re still undecided, here are my top seven reasons to study abroad in college.
1. The ability to travel and discover the world
The most important advantage of study abroad is the opportunity to travel and discover the world! While other students are stuck in the routine of college life at home, you will be experiencing a new country with new customs, food, nature, landmarks, museums, and so on. Isn’t that fantastic? Beyond that, you will be able to travel to surrounding cities and, in certain cases, other countries. You’ll be exposed to various places and cultures daily. And, without a doubt, you will have a better understanding of the world we live in, which will change both your worldview and personality.
I had never been out of the country. Studying abroad allowed me to see the world, without compromising my education. During my semester break, I visited different places in Toronto such as Niagara Falls, Nathan Phillips Square, Toronto Eaton center, Royal Ontario Museum, and other nearby places
2. YOU’LL GET OUTSIDE YOUR COMFORT ZONE
Getting out of your comfort zone while studying abroad can come in a lot of different forms and I mean that in the best way possible! I had to make new friends, Take notes, do presentations, or ask questions in class, Plan and organize trips on my own for the first time and figure out a whole new way of living. I grew as a person because of it!
I’m not the same person I was before going to Canada. My experience taught me to have more patience and courage and gave me more independence. There are so many different and new situations you’ll be put in while abroad. While they may be uncomfortable, these are the challenges that will turn you into the most confident and capable version of yourself.
3. Find new interests and passions
As stated before, studying abroad gets you outside of your comfort zone and lets you try out unique things. By engaging in new activities, you may discover new interests and passions. For example, you might find out that you have a passion for hiking in the mountains, water sports, snowboarding, or trying out foreign recipes. You may have never tried any of these back at home because you never had the chance to try them. When I moved abroad, I found my interest in cooking. During my free time, I enjoy experimenting with new recipes. I never had the opportunity to learn how to cook while living with my parents, but that changed when I moved here. Not only has cooking become a new interest of mine, but it also allows me to stay physically active.
4. You create enduring friendships.
When you are forced to endure uncomfortable circumstances with someone, you develop a certain kind of bond. Because you don’t know anyone else in the country, you’re kind of forced to form connections with the people in your class who you already know. Friendships grow quickly as a result of shared memories like traveling, overcoming significant language barriers, and probably living together. One of my favorite reasons for going to college abroad is this.
5. Getting Ready for a Career
You can also prepare for your future career by studying overseas. Many employers value international experience and education for foreigners, providing you with a competitive advantage when entering the employment market.
6. Understanding Cultural Differences More
When you live in or study abroad, you are exposed to different cultures and customs. This allows you to understand better the differences between philosophies and how to respect them. You will also learn about the history and culture of the country you live in, which can be very beneficial if you plan to work or stay there in the future.
7. Honing Language Skills
Living somewhere where the native language is not spoken is the best approach to developing your language abilities. Increasing your vocabulary every day and being exposed to more local accents are some of the perks of living abroad.
Studying in an English-speaking nation is a terrific method to improve your academic English as well as your fluency and conversational skills. If you want to master your English, this is the best way to do it.
I’m not going to sit here and say that everyone should study abroad. That’s not financially realistic for many people and many wouldn’t be interested in the first place. All I’m saying is that if you’re interested in traveling or language learning, you should do everything in your power to make it happen.
It motivating me to study abroad.