At universities across the US, studying abroad is an assumed activity within the college culture. During students’ first two years of college, many look forward to embarking on an exciting journey in a new country of their choice, all while meeting new people, trying new things, and getting off campus for a semester. At Elon, it is commonplace for students to go abroad during the fall semester of their junior year.
As the spring semester of sophomore year quickly approached, applications to study abroad were released. Students were eagerly choosing which country they wanted to spend four thrilling months of their life living in; I didn’t feel that excitement. Instead, I felt immediately overwhelmed by emotions of stress and nervousness. It seemed only obvious for me to forego this opportunity to pursue other ones here on campus that deem themselves just as special in my eyes.
The following are the top few reasons I decided not to go abroad:
1. Getting closer to others who decided to stay on campus.
Having a select few friends in the same boat as me on campus this fall, I am already able to get a lot closer to people I would normally not have been able to. Although it has been merely a week, I already have spent so much more time with people I haven’t had the chance to in the past. I look forward to the new relationships that I will develop by staying on campus and seeing them continue to grow beyond that period of time.
2. Spending money.
It is difficult to go abroad and get the full experience without spending a large sum of money. Not only are the programs themselves expensive, but it is also common to travel to other cities while you are there. I knew that spending all that money abroad would have been a daunting stress that I would carry with me in the long run. Not going abroad has kept my wallet (and my parents’ wallets) happier.
3. Other travel opportunities.
Not every student that goes abroad is lucky enough to have traveled a lot during their childhood. But being a dual citizen of both the United States and England, I was able to travel frequently to England and other European countries. Growing up, my family often went on vacations during summers, so I am honestly blessed to have traveled so much already.
4. Homesickness
I have accepted for quite some time that I am a homebody. Going to school ten hours away from home is enough for me to still get homesick. It was evident that being halfway across the world for 4 months without going home or seeing my family was going to be too much for me.
5. My heart wasn’t in it.
I realized that going abroad was a huge opportunity, and if I didn’t want to go 110%, then it wasn’t worth the financial and mental stress. Some students have been set on abroad since freshman year, and even earlier for some. If I wasn’t positive that I wanted to go, it wasn’t something meant for me.
If these thoughts seem familiar to you, realize that it is okay to sit this one out; enjoy your year here at Elon, and travel when you are ready. Living abroad at this point in your life is not for everyone, and you are not alone if you decide to stay on campus.