It’s that time of year again. As school starts back up, you get to hear about where all your friends went over summer; family vacations to Mexico, backpacking trips around Europe, volunteering in Africa. Maybe you ungrudgingly stayed home, or maybe you were lucky and snuck away for a few weeks yourself. Regardless, you’ve got that undeniable itch to travel. Satisfy your wanderlust while getting school credit by studying abroad!
There are endless reasons to study abroad: meeting new people, personal growth and traveling are only a few. While away, you’ll likely learn a few words in a foreign language (mainly how to order your preferred food and drink, “where’s the bathroom,” “sorry,” “thank you” and “I don’t understand, I’m American”). You will eat strange (but delicious) food, make tons of friends and generally become a more cultured and knowledgeable person. You’ll gain insight from an altered, improved worldview. It’s impossible to not benefit from studying abroad.
What’s not to like about having class two or three days a week and hopping on the closest bus or airplane to embark on a new adventure every extra-long weekend? Answer: NOTHING!
Beginning your international adventure can be a challenge, however, with the seemingly endless options, paperwork and finances. The first step is narrowing down where you want to go (which might be the hardest part). Try to pick somewhere you’ve never been before, somewhere where the food is good and the people are better. Do you want urban or rural? Do you want to wear scarves and sweaters most of the time, or a swimsuit?
Next, figure out what type of program you want. Are you going for school or for an internship? Would you rather be away for a summer, a semester, or a whole year? Are you trying to complete major classes or GE’s? Cal Poly has a variety of programs like USAC, CEA, GlobaLinks and DIS, all of which offer a variety of courses in different corners of the globe. Some of these programs are also ideal if you’re looking for an internship or volunteer opportunity abroad, or you can look into AIESEC, Intrax and hundreds of other organizations that send students overseas. Go to the study abroad office (building 38, room 106) and talk to an advisor or check out their website to consider your options.
If you’re even thinking about going abroad, don’t miss Cal Poly’s Study Abroad Fair on Thursday, October 2nd, from 10 AM to 2 PM on Dexter Lawn. There will be representatives and alumni from Cal Poly’s available programs to give you flyers, catalogues and plenty of information on going overseas. Happy travels!