For those of you considering studying abroad, do it! There is absolutely nothing like it. Even if you plan to travel after graduation, I highly recommend studying abroad because there is no other time when someone will pay for you to go to another country (unless you get a super lux job and in that case, go you!) and have a truly unforgettable college experience.
While I know it may be scary to travel to a new country and while it may be great to go with your best friends, I highly recommend going it alone because sometimes going with friends can prevent you from branching out and truly immersing yourself in the culture and experiencing new things. Trust me, you will make friends! It is basically freshmen year of college all over again except you get to be the cool international student.
My advice though is to really consider where you want to go. Seriously, this is not the time to make a rash decision basing it on the fact that there will be hot Italian guys. Some things to consider:
– Do they have the classes you need for your major? If not, can you afford to take a semester off and still graduate on time?
– Do you want to take on an internship or research project while there?
– Is there a language barrier? If there is, do you feel prepared to take your classes in another language? If you don’t, that’s fine because there are many English-speaking countries to choose from!
– While academics should always come first (remember it’s called STUDY abroad for a reason), consider what else you want to get out of your experience. Opportunities to travel? The ability to learn a new language?
– How will studying abroad in this particular country help you professionally? Would gaining proficiency in this language be useful for your future career? Will these courses help you grow professionally?
– What is your financial situation? Living expenses as well as exchange rates vary from country to country. This is especially important if your financial aid, scholarships and loans don’t cover everything.
– How long do you want to be there for? One year or one semester?
– Consider the culture of the country. Is there someplace you have always dreamed of going? Do you want someplace more relaxed or fast-paced? Can you picture yourself there?
– Do you want to go to a popular study abroad location like England, France or Italy? Or do you want to go somewhere a little more off the grid (and hence, with less American students studying abroad there as well)? Each case has its advantages and disadvantages, although I will encourage you that wherever you go, try to stay out of the American bubble because you could miss out on making new international friends and experiencing different cultures.
Bottom line though, no matter where you decide to go, study abroad will be an experience of a lifetime that you do not want to miss out on!
Research, explore, and have fun!