When faced with a busy academic schedule during high school and college, it can be
difficult to imagine taking the time to study in a foreign country. Travel is expensive, and
learning a new culture, language, and location can carry with it some complex learning
curves in addition to completing your studies. However, the travel experiences people
can have during secondary school and university studies may bring with them unique,
once-in-a-lifetime opportunities that can change the course of life and enrich people
with worldly experiences they wouldn’t have elsewhere. There are also grants and
scholarships available through various foundations that can help fund studying abroad,
so people of many nationalities can gain important cross-cultural experiences that will
enrich and benefit their own lives and cultures.
You May Never Have Another Chance
Life in secondary school or at a university is certainly busy, but most students escape
the lack of freedom that life after school can bring. Before a student needs to get a full-
time job with benefits, travel should be a top priority to gain vast experiences and learn
to approach life with a new set of eyes. Sure, you’ll probably have holiday time in the
future, but you may never have enough time to backpack around Europe, visit the Middle
East, or go surfing in South Africa. Study abroad programs will take you to places where
you can gain school credit while having memorable life experiences that may just alter
your understanding of the world while you’re young, and give you many opportunities to
life in a fresh way as you enter into adulthood.
You Can Take Advantage of Grants
Many grants for studying abroad are available for students of all different nationalities.
Once you’re out of school, you’ll no longer be able to take advantage of these grants.
Take a look at grants that you qualify for, and take that crazy leap of applying to
do something you wouldn’t normally do. In the future, travel may be too expensive
throughout your twenties, depending on what job you get right out of college. Savor
these experiences while you can to learn as much as possible in new and exciting
places.
You’ll Bring Unique Perspective to the Work Force
Many students study abroad for a semester, year, or their full college career. While it
may be difficult to imagine, most of these students return to their home country after
studying abroad and bring unique perspectives and skills into the competitive work
force. You may learn a new language, become familiar with the customs of important
international clients, or learn to thrive in unfamiliar places. These skills may just give you
an edge as you compile your resume and seek to get a fulfilling job after graduating.
Many of the experiences may also inspire you to pursue further education, through a
master’s degree or PhD. Studying abroad is also a time of great self-discovery, and that
self-awareness may benefit significantly you in your future career.
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