CultusWhen it comes to choosing a college or university, most people tend to think of those that are in their home country. But there’s another option that you should consider, and that’s studying abroad.
More and more colleges and universities are looking to add diversity to their student body, so they are more willing to accept foreign students into their programs. If you are currently looking for the right college to attend, the following are five reasons to consider studying abroad.
1. You can experience another culture.
Most people are only accustomed to their native country and cultures, and studying abroad will allow you to experience another culture first hand. You will be able to see how other cultures interact, how they live their lives, and what they deem to be important. You will then be able to take these experiences back home and remember them for the rest of your life.
2. You can meet new people.
Studying abroad will allow you to meet new people from all over the world. You will be surprised at how many different people from different countries end up in foreign schools. You will be able to learn from the people you meet, and you’ll be able to make some great friendships that last a lifetime. You may even end up meeting your future spouse while studying abroad too.
3. You can travel.
There are many different places to see in the world, and when you study abroad, you’ll be able to travel more easily. For example, if you study abroad in Europe, you will be able to visit different countries more easily than if you were home, and you’ll be able to see different places first hand. You can visit historic sites in different countries, or you can simply visit places that are commonly talked about.
Your early 20’s tends to be the best time to travel because you don’t have many responsibilities. By traveling while in college, you’ll be able to gain all these experiences and see new places before becoming stuck in their career or adult lives and no longer having the opportunity to travel.
4. You can study your major in a special way.
Your area of study can greatly benefit from you studying abroad. For example, if you are a history major, you can study in Italy where many historical events took place. If you’re studying art, you can study abroad in France. Think of the places that had an impact on your area of study and opt to study abroad in that specific country.
5. You can learn a new language.
If you’re studying abroad in a foreign country, you’ll be able to learn a new language. By constantly being surrounded by native people, you will have an easier time grasping the new language and learning slang words that wouldn’t be taught in school. Not only will you walk away with a great experience and wonderful education, but you’ll also walk away being fluent in another language, and that can greatly benefit your future.
If you don’t want to learn a new language, you don’t necessarily have to. You can study abroad in places like Australia or the UK where English is their native language. This way, you will get the great studying abroad experience without having to study and learn a new language before you go.
If you are going to study abroad, it’s very important that you apply to these colleges and universities early. Getting into a foreign school is more time consuming than getting into a native school because you’ll have to apply for a student visa and have all important documents translated. Be sure you know exactly what is needed from you to apply to an international university in order to make the experience run smoothly.
Guest Author: Amber Potts is a freelance writer and a perpetual student of higher education. Amber shares her knowledge and training through a variety of mediums including article writing.
