Tips for getting the most out of study abroad

I absolutely love traveling; I used to live abroad, and I have studied abroad twice, so I’m not passing up the opportunity to discuss traveling abroad.

For the study abroad enthusiasts, my first advice is to have a goal. A common goal is to achieve language proficiency. When I went to Austria for a month, my goal was to learn European cultural norms so I could study abroad in Geneva, Switzerland for a whole semester. In Geneva, my goal was to experience living and working in another country. My goals were fairly uncommon, but I achieved both. Know what you want to gain from your study abroad experience.

Next, let it shatter your world. This is a rare chance to live in another country. Go somewhere that is not a huge tourist destination. Go speak a foreign language endlessly. Everyone’s experiences will be different and everyone will get something different out of it. My trip to Austria was very short and sheltered through the University. It was with all U of I students and even a U of I professor. For Switzerland, I went on Kent State’s study abroad program as the only U of I student.

My initial perspectives concerning everything from the United Nations to America were overturned. It was seeing a new truth and not being able to go back, and not even knowing how to connect with people from my former life or being able to explain it to anyone.

I participated in an internship with a nongovernmental organization in Switzerland and learned about human rights issues at the United Nations. Studying abroad like this is definitely not for everyone. Choosing a program though the university with other university students will definitely make it easier. But there is so much more to learn when you force yourself so far out of your comfort zone. For me, it was worth it and I have no regrets.

In the end, everyone should study abroad if they can. I know there are cost issues, class concerns, and parental approval, but if you can go, then go. The knowledge and experience will change your life for the better and make you a stronger person.