I know a lot of you are hearing back from the Study Abroad Office about next year, which means decision time is coming up and the nerves are kicking in! But don’t worry, everyone should be nervous about living in a completely different part of the world for several months. As an abroad student myself I can assure you that a year or semester abroad will be one of the best decisions you will ever make. Here’s why:
1. Being in your early 20s is the best time to travel:
Being 20-25 is the best age to travel for so many reasons. You take advantage of both day life and night life, and it’s a great opportunity to explore your options on where you want to live when you’re older and what people you enjoy being around.
2. You travel for cheap:
For those thinking about studying in Europe, take advantage of the ridiculously cheap flights to other countries. I’ve already been to seven countries and the average cost for a roundtrip ticket was 50 Euros. So much cheaper than travelling to another country from the US.
3. You learn to cook:
Before I came to Ireland, the only things I could cook were pasta and pop tarts. Now, living on my own and having no dining hall at the university, I realize how important it is to know how to cook actual meals. It’s also a good time to learn–especially if you are thinking about living off campus your senior year!
4. The nightlife is everything you would expect and more:
Leitrims is great on Wednesdays, but once you go out in Europe, you understand the true meaning of “going hard.” Nightlife starts later, and clubs are open until the early morning. Going out in countries like Portugal or the Czech Republic make you feel like you are in a movie. I can one hundred percent state that wherever you study, you’re nightlife will never be a bore.
5. You make lifelong friends:
I can honestly say that I have met some of my best friends while being abroad. Half the trips I went on were with new friends I made throughout the semester. I’m even planning to visit them out in San Diego next year. Cheers to that!