As I touched down on the tarmac in Philadelphia, I was overcome with pride and joy. Don’t misunderstand, I absolutely love traveling and wouldn’t trade my experiences and time abroad for anything, but no place on Earth tops the place I call home. Particularly, I most looked forward to seeing my family and sharing my experiences with them. One of the best parts of traveling is the abundance of stories and knowledge that you acquire.
Studying abroad has given me a much different view of the world and its inhabitants. While studying, I had the chance to travel to ten countries and experience a number of different cultures and customs. This exposure has given me a new appreciation for diversity and shown me that the American way might not always be the best way. Before traveling there, I was slightly reserved regarding the sense of security I would feel being out of my safe, American bubble, but now, I can say with confidence that we are no safer in the United States than we are elsewhere. Consequently, the world seems much smaller and that much easier to conquer. This opportunity has energized my already-adventurous nature, and I’ve already begun planning my next trip abroad.
Having the opportunity to live in a country on the other side of the world is one you should not miss. I feel that being able to experience another country’s lifestyle is essential to forging your perspective of the world and finding what makes you happy. This exposure to diversity allows you to sample a variety of different cultures to find exactly what pleases you.
My most important piece of advice to those interested in studying abroad is go. You will likely never have the extent of freedom later in life that you do in college to spend an extended period of time abroad. Don’t over plan your trip. Plan just enough to get by, and use this opportunity to do something truly spontaneous. Take time to pack accordingly with the type of traveling you plan to do. Briefly look at a map and get acquainted with the region you are visiting and the forms of transportation that service those areas. Your most important objective while abroad should be to enjoy yourself and experience something new each day!