Another perk about going to college is the golden opportunity to study abroad! My junior year of college I studied abroad in Granada, Spain for a semester. It was a life changing experience! Many Latino students do not pursue the opportunity to study abroad because of financial barriers and worry about leaving behind family and close friends. Perhaps you need an extra push and more information to assure you that the benefits are much greater than the costs. Here are a few reasons why you should study abroad:
Growth- Traveling to a foreign country on your own may sound daunting and dangerous, but once you do it you will discover new skills you never imagined you had. The four months away from home forces you to assimilate into a different culture, practice your communication skills, and recreate or enhance your social skills. You will interact with people from different cultures who will give you new insights. All things combined, you will build self-confidence and independence because you were able to do it alone.
Relationships- If you’re worried about leaving your family and friends—don’t be because you’ll gain a family and make friends there! Prospective study abroad students have the option of living with a host family or living with other students. I chose to live with a family who grew to be like a second family. Even more, I had a roommate in the same program as me who turned out to be one of my greatest friends along with three other ladies that lived in the same building as us. I think every student in the Central College Study Abroad Program made life-long friendships that are irreplaceable. You may also make life-long friendships with the people native to the country you’re studying at.
Academic Learning- The beauty about studying abroad through a program is that academic life can be extremely flexible. In my case, I only had class twice a week and meetings every other day, but we never had class on Fridays and I was free to explore the city in the evenings. Also, learning a language is easier when you can practice first-hand with fluent speakers in their native land. By gaining a deeper understanding of the Spanish culture, I also gained a deeper understanding of my American culture and of the United States. You will see the breath of advantages and opportunities America offers that often times are unknown or overlooked. I developed a greater appreciation of my home country and my Latino culture.
Night Life - The night life in Europe is awesome! Everything looks beautiful, the atmosphere is encouraging, and in Granada the city never sleeps! It was exciting meeting with friends at night to go for a walk, the local bar, or the club areas. Going out with friends was also a great way to meet new people, have interesting conversations, and just let myself be free! While I chose to study in Europe there are other continents worth investigating that I’m sure will offer great opportunities!
Adventure- Studying abroad is an escapade in itself but it only gets better! During my study abroad semester I traveled to the major cities in Spain, England, Morocco, and Italy. You have the chance to try new things, attend diverse events, meet new people, and enjoy the sightseeing. Every day was an adventure because there was always something to learn and someone to meet. It was a liberating feeling and I can’t help but to feel a little nostalgic from time to time.
Diversity – Your personal experiences, host family, and friends will challenge your diversity of thought. As you start spending more time with a diverse group of people you may find a stronger common ground than you expected. You may begin to deconstruct the initial stereotypes you had prior to your trip, allowing you to form a different range of perspectives to view the other traditions and cultures in the world.
Award – Since my first year of college I knew I wanted to study abroad my junior year. I realized it wasn’t going to be easy so I started preparing during my sophomore year. Studying abroad requires a lot of preparation and hard work. I had to fill out applications, speak to students who had already studied abroad, research programs, save money, and take out a loan. It was extremely rewarding when I finally accomplished my long-time goal. I recommend study abroad to everyone. If I could do it all over again, I would—even if it means investing so much time. The trip was a special well-deserved gift to myself. It was especially rewarding because I earned it. It was even more rewarding that two of my sisters were able to share a special moment with me when they came down to visit <3.
