One of my dreams when I started college was to study abroad. Before I knew it, it was already my junior year and I hadn’t even looked into Hofstra’s study abroad programs.
The summer before my junior year of college, I found out that Hofstra was holding a two-week trip to Greece in January 2025. Greece was a trip that had been on my bucket list since I was in middle school. After I looked into the trip and saw that I could get academic credit, I knew it was a sign to go on the trip.
The trip may have already been over a year ago, but it is an experience I still think about and I am so grateful that I took the leap and went on the trip.
Here are just some of the reasons why you should think about studying abroad in college!
Leaving Your Comfort Zone
I am very much a homebody, especially as a commuter student. I had never been away from home for more than a few days, so needless to say, I was very anxious for this trip.
Taking the leap to go on the trip forced me to leave my comfort zone, which was a great experience for me. Studying abroad will present you with many opportunities to leave your comfort zone, which only helps you grow as a person!
The Experience Of Traveling
Going to Greece was not only my first time traveling to Europe, but it was also my first time traveling alone. Thanks for my trip to Greece, my love for traveling has only grown. Since Greece, I have been on two more trips alone, (one of those trips being going back to Europe to visit London!), and I’ll be taking a trip to Disney with my friends in June. If you have the opportunity to travel, you should definitely take it – especially now while you’re young!
Make New Friends
One of the biggest things I was worried about with studying abroad was the other people going on the trip and being able to make friends. I tend to be on the shyer side, and traveling alone was already making me nervous. I luckily had nothing to be worried about and I got along with everyone else on the trip great! There were only nine of us on the trip, three of us being girls, and we all had a great time. I even still talk to some of them over a year later!
Cheaper To Travel With School
One of the most understandable reasons why someone may be hesitant to study abroad is the cost. Although the bill can seem hefty, it’s important to know that studying abroad with your school will make the trip cheaper than if you traveled to the country yourself. The cost of the trip covered almost every expense, from the flights, to the hotel, to the excursions and some meals everyday. The only money that came out of our pockets was for souvenirs and one lunch/dinner per day. It’s also important to remember that the cost of the trip is also covering the course that you’re taking while you’re there.
Take Courses & Receive Academic Credit
On top of all of the great site-seeing you’ll do and memories you’ll create, it’s important to remember that it’s called studying abroad for a reason. Being able to get academic credit while simultaneously traveling sounds like a no brainer to me!
Site See & Embrace New Culture
Studying abroad allows you to visit and experience famous sites, such as climbing the Acropolis and seeing the Parthenon in all of its glory. These are sites that are even more breathtaking in person. Studying abroad also allows you to embrace the culture of the country you’re visiting.
It is so important to remember that wherever you’re studying abroad, you may never get to visit there again. Really make the most of your trip. You won’t regret it!