The BGSU Education Abroad Fair is coming up Thurs., Feb. 8, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. in the Bowen-Thompson Student Union. I studied abroad this past summer in Alcalá de Henares, Spain. It was an incredible experience for me, so here are 5 reasons you should study abroad, if you can.
1. Access to new culture
No matter where you go, even if it’s an English-speaking country, there are going to be things that are different from America when you study abroad. It’s great to gain the perspectives of a different culture, because it gives you the ability to see your own culture in a different way. This is also what makes studying abroad fun, because you get to do new things!
2. Tons of new, delicious foods
One of my favorite experiences in Spain was trying all the news foods, even the stuff I didn’t like — although, I loved most of it. Everyday I got to try something I don’t have easy access to in America, like paella, a rice and meat dish cooked with saffron, which is usually really expensive here. Also, the jamón, a bacon-like slice of ham, is world-famous and you can’t get it anywhere else. Foods that we don’t eat here are found all over the world, and when you study abroad, you get to try them.
3. Meet new people from all over the world
Like Americans, other people from around the world like to travel. While you are abroad, not only will you meet and talk to people from that country, but chances are you’ll meet and talk to people from other countries as well. This is a way to make lifelong friends who can learn and grow from, or you just have one conversation with someone that’ll help you remember the trip.
4. Learn new skills
One thing a lot of people mention when asked what they learned from studying abroad was independence. When you study abroad with the school, there is structure to it, but you can also travel on your own and make your own choices. Also, because things are so different than America, you’ll have to be flexible with any differences from your own life. Being in a foreign country necessitates some independence and flexibility. Those skills will transfer home.
5.More likely to get hired for a job
Employers look to see who has studied abroad, because you learn new perspectives and skills from it. According to CNN, students who study abroad are more likely to get hired right out of college. Some time abroad can give you an edge over someone else who is up for the job.
