Over the weekend, I chatted with a girl who is headed off to college this fall. She’s pretty excited about being a six-hour drive away from her parents. She told me that she was excited to be traveling. I asked her if she was planning to study abroad — and I was pretty surprised by her answer.
This college student, who is so excited about seeing new places and doing new things, told me that she did’t really want to study abroad. She said that there would be plenty of time for travel abroad after she had graduated.
I disagree.
I disagree for a whole list of reasons. First of all, I’m pretty sure that college is about experiencing new things — especially experiences that differ sig ificantly from what you grew up with. There’s no better way to do that then to experience a new culture and country.
Second, with a few scholarship applications and some careful planning, you can get someone else to pay for most (if not all) of your travels. That’s true of both undergrad and grad study abroad — but certainly not the case once you’ve got your degree. Heck, if you’re studying abroad, you may not have to work at all beyond a few hours a day.
I spent a semester in Dublin my senior year of college. My scholarship paid for my classes and housing. My dad got me my plane tickets as a present. I wrote just enough articles for a couple of websites I was already freelancing for to cover traveling around Ireland and enough ramen to keep any college student happy.
I’ve encouraged my young friend not to discount study abroad and if you’re in school, I hope you’ll consider it as well.
I completely agree with you. Studying abroad my junior year of college was hands down, on of the best experiences of my life, let alone college. I was 21 and excited about new opportunities, meeting new people, exploring Europe (I studied in Italy, but traveled with ease by train/plane throughout Europe) and diving into a new culture.
I am now a post-college grad working and I think it was so much easier to travel abroad while in college (and/or the summers) because even now, I have more responsibilities. It doesn’t mean I am done traveling, I’m definitely not, but for now work and travel within the US or my new home is on the front burner.
Great post!
I need someone to talk me out of grad school again. Particularly grad school abroad, as @thursdayb sparked interest (http://bit.ly/CGKlD)
Hi
Maybe this girl doesn’t feel she is ready for the travel abroad experience. Maybe she wants to experience how it is to live only 6 hours from her parents house. If this is her first time away from home, maybe this is what she is ready to do for now.
There are many ways to experience life abroad after graduation – She can try to apply for a working-holiday visa, volunteer abroad, or look for a gap year oppurtunity.
It is never to late, and everyone has his own timing.
Sharon
@Grace, One of the things I loved about living in Europe is how close everything is. You want to visit another country? It’s literally 45 minutes away by plane! I loved how easy it was to visit new places. There are still plenty of places I want to visit in the States, but the travel distances are a little more extreme. By the way, I saw you’re based in Boulder — I grew up in Colorado Springs and it’s amazing how many things there are to do in state!
@Sharon, I hope I didn’t give the impression that I was pushing her towards study abroad — I was simply surprised by her reaction. I view study abroad as a great opportunity, but I know that some people feel more comfortable with other opportunities. I simply encouraged her to consider study abroad before deciding whether or not to pursue it.