10 Reasons You Should Study Abroad

“10 Reasons You Should Study Abroad”

**by Hannah McIntyre via “Huffington Post“**

Step outside of your comfort zone and see the world.

1. Explore the world

When living abroad, you not only get to experience the country you’re living in, you get to travel to other far away places that aren’t so far away anymore. Studying abroad affords you the opportunity to hop on a train and get a quick and cheap Ryanair flight to get you anywhere in Europe in a few hours. Get out of your hometown, or your college town, and see the world.

2. Learn about the world – past and current events

It’s easy to get caught up in the little bubble that is your world, and to miss out on things much bigger than you that are happening around the world. Going abroad is a great way to open up your eyes to global happenings, and to become more worldly. There are so many countries with histories that you know nothing about, and so many events that you’ve heard of but couldn’t really explain to someone else. As college students and adults, it is about time that we start paying attention to what is happening around the world, not just around the corner.

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A watch tower at Auschwitz I. By: Madeleine Ackels

3. Experience new cultures

Living in a culture is the best way to experience it. Visiting a country for a vacation does have advantages, but being abroad and living in a new place for a few months really allows you to experience the new culture in depth. Enough for it to start to feel like home, maybe. One experience that goes hand in hand with culture is food. Food is a main asset to a culture. It is a main way for a culture to express itself. While abroad you will be presented with new dishes that will represent your new culture. Branch out and try new things, your hosts will love you for trying, even if you don’t like it.

4. Learn about your own culture

Being away from home really has a lot to show you about home. Experiencing a new culture that is totally different from what you are used to will highlight aspects of your own culture that you may have been blind to before or that you can appreciate more now that you’re not in it every day. Talking with people from your new culture about your home and hearing their perspective might cause you to view things differently as well. . . . .