Going abroad junior year at Santa Clara seems to be a given. Everyone does it, and everyone loves talking about it. What is not talked about are the dozens of other factors that play into going abroad, such as expenses and fitting classes in with your major. So whether you’re a sophomore deciding if you should go abroad or a junior stuck in good ole’ U.S. of A while all your friends chow down on pizza in Italy, here are the reasons why I’m happy I stayed behind.
1. You won’t experience FOMO
Europe and the rest of the world are not going anywhere, but your time in college is limited. You can always buy a plane ticket, but you can’t always go out to a party on Bellomy. College is one of the only times in life when your only responsibilities are passing classes and having fun. Missing five months (when you only have four years) is longer than you think.
2. You will be able to focus on you
Whether it’s your best friend, boyfriend, or whole friend group that is gone, some sense of security is lost. It is similar to the feeling of being a freshman again, as you don’t have a support group to lean on. But it is during these times that you learn the most about yourself, without other people influencing what you should do or how you should feel.
3. You will be pushed outside your comfort zone
Unlike freshman year, people are not as eager to make new friends once junior year rolls around. However, with your normal friend group gone, you are more likely to talk to the person next to you in class or reach out to other juniors who chose not to go abroad. You’ll be surprised by the great friendships you can stumble upon.
4. Finally, and most importantly, you will gain a new perspective
Your friends are great, but when they’re gone, you will see the school in a totally new light. It is so easy to get caught in a routine, and now you will be forced to change it up a bit. With your newly cleared schedule, you will come to realize there are a lot more opportunities, clubs, and people you would have never discovered had you left.
Last, but not least, remember you are not alone. Only 1% of all U.S. students enrolled in a university in the United States study abroad (nsafa.com). So even though you feel like the foreigner by not going, you are part of the 99% staying back and living up their college years. God Bless America, y’all.