Debunking “I Can’t Study Abroad”
Getting out of the country for an academically-reasonable amount of time is quite the positive experience for those ready to travel. Surfing off the coast of Spain while brushing up on conversational español, sweating over curry in an Indian metropolis filled with social science opportunity, or even dancing with fire in New Zealand in the classroom and the circus. Hundreds of unique programs wait for those willing to step on the international flight.
However, a good chunk of the American student body pull out their excuse indexes and fire off whichever reason pertains to their situation. “I can’t study abroad because…” is a fraction of a sentence spoken too often. With the right motivations, the following reasons for skipping skiing in the academic Alpines are easily erased.
“I can’t study abroad because my academics do not allow time away.”
Intense majors like Engineering and Music Therapy have tailor-made four-year plans that offer no room to budge. For those who find themselves in this situation, taking a brief session in the Summer or Winter apart from the semester would be perfect. These short programs are more relaxed and culture-driven, giving a much needed siesta to those breaking their back to graduate on time.
“I can’t study abroad because it is too expensive.”
Financial issues keep many from crossing customs at the international airport. Generous donors and organizations understand this and provide scholarships and grants to allow more students to study abroad. These could include the home institution, the travel companies in the area, and nationwide scholarship offerings easily found online through databases.
“I can’t study abroad because I have not even left my own state yet.”
The diversity of culture and lifestyle on Earth varies indefinitely, and that can be intimidating for those with less experience leaping lily-pads on their own lake. On most programs abroad, directors act as student liaisons to the new world in which they find themselves. Strong support is a given for many programs, and companies are ready to work with new travelers and globetrotters alike.
The above proposal should not be seen as a forcible persuasion to study abroad. Not wanting to trek Trinidad and Tobago is different from not being able to peruse Peru. People have to first desire a semester away before taking on the reality of relentless reasoning against the idea. World wandering is not for everyone, but those who wish for a period past their border can find as many reasons to go as to stay.
Diffusing into a new institution, culture, and continent all make for remarkable time spent in higher education. The world works better interconnected, bringing every perspective to the table for global phenomena and community conundrums. Young people, no matter the generation, will always technically be the future, and bringing the world’s future together one confused undergraduate in Uruguay at a time always starts with turning a “can’t” into a “can do.”
