College is a transitional stage in the life of any soon-to-be adult where degrees are earned, social life is abuzz, and time seems to be on your side. Although, time is never on your side unless you have acquired time management strategies to cope with all the demands placed on you as a college student. One demand that can be pushed or suggested to you by your parents or especially college advisors in your academic program such as SPEA is studying abroad. Now, one may ask why study abroad; however, I asked myself this same question prior to Summer 2013 and my response is why not study abroad.
Here are my TOP 10 reasons to study abroad (in no particular order):- To receive academic credit
- To acquire new friendships
- To learn more about your place in this world
- Envelop oneself in different culture and traditions
- Begin studying a new foreign language
- To find work abroad as a global citizen
- To find inspiration in the lives of those you may not know
- To travel with your favorite professor
- To have a complete college experience
- To mature as a young adult
As you can see, studying abroad can assist your academic, professional, and personal development in college, but also throughout your entire life by giving you a different perspective to see the world from. Hopefully you understand how important studying abroad truly is and find a time window in college to have the opportunity to engage in a study abroad program of your choosing!
Here is a photo I took when I studied abroad through SPEA in Beijing, China over Summer 2013.