So the headline of this blog might sound a little presumptive to some people. It certainly would have to me before I started seriously researching the possibility of studying abroad. You might think I am making a lot of assumptions about you to argue that you should study abroad. You might say “I’m not outgoing enough to travel somewhere I won’t know anybody”. You might say “Studying abroad is too expensive.” You might be worried about being homesick, and departing from your regularly scheduled classes, activities, and shenanigans with the usual friends. I certainly had all of these thoughts before I studied abroad. But I also heard a lot of good things, and I started to think maybe it would be worth it. This blog is dedicated to proving why choosing to study abroad is one of the best decisions I’ve ever made, despite some legitimate doubts and concerns I had before I went. I hope this blog can be used as a resource for anyone who has the same doubts and concerns I did, and I hope it can help someone to make the same great decision I did.
- I don’t care how outgoing you are, you will make friends. Unless you don’t want friends, that’s ok too! For anyone worried about being comfortable meeting new people in a new country, I assure you it’s a piece of cake. Remember, it’s not just you and a country of locals. Many universities you can study abroad at have hundreds of other students from the US and all over Europe studying abroad too that are in the same situation. I’ve met all sorts of people here, quiet and loud, young and old, from near and far. And everyone has been friendly and open to meeting you if you put yourself out there. If you are more of a loner anyways, go ahead and be alone, you’ll still get a lot out of travelling, but I’d still implore you to make some new loner friends, it’s part of what makes studying abroad so fulfilling.
- Studying abroad is more cost effective than you think. You probably already know this, but the price of education in the US is insane, and so is the price of university housing and food. If you’re used to paying for on campus housing, (or even on campus housing in Boston for that matter) going abroad is a blessing for your wallet. You pay the same as you would pay at home, minus residence costs and fees. The cost of living is obviously dependent on where you study abroad, but this website is a big help if you’re looking for a study abroad destination to save you a few bucks. Countries like Denmark or Sweden won’t be likely to save you any dough, but here in Limerick, Ireland I save money every week on food, and I saved more money on housing this semester than I spent on my flight here and back, PLUS all of my travels around Europe. Additionally, Northeastern offers scholarships to fund study abroad experiences! Some are based on need, and others simply require contributing to the university website through a photo journal or a blog like this one. Long story short, I saved money by studying abroad.
- Yeah, OK, I’ll make a concession for this one. I do miss Boston, I miss my family on Thanksgiving (which happens to be the day I’m writing this blog), and I miss all my friends back at NU. But guess what! It’s worth it. As soon as you get back to the states you’ll have a whole new second place to be homesick about. Despite missing some things about the US, Ireland does feel like home.
- When it comes to missing my normal activates at Northeastern, well yeah to be honest I miss those too. I miss acting in student theatre groups, and I feel like I missed a lot that’s been going on with organizations like Engineers Without Borders and New England Water and Environment Association. But studying abroad I got to experience clubs I never had the opportunity to in Boston, like sailing and windsurfing! There are loads of other once and a lifetime professional experiences when you study abroad too if that’s a concern. I also participated in the University of Limerick Practicum program, which allowed me to do academic volunteer work for a local community partner. The ability to branch out and diversify your interests without a doubt is worth giving up one of your eight semesters of the old routine (10 semesters if you’re at Northeastern!).
- And of course, I miss my friends back home most of all. But the best part about friends when you study abroad is that you can make new friends, and your old friends will still be there (unless they go on co-op in California or follow your blogging advice to study abroad I suppose).
Now that I’ve cast all doubts about studying abroad aside, I’ll focus on the best parts that have no associated downsides or misconceptions.
- Just think of all the food! If you’re like me and the entire rest of the world, you probably like food. And unless you happen to be incredibly cultured for your age, there’s probably some food out there you haven’t tried yet. Maybe even your new favorite food, who knows. I for one am now a big fan of traditional Irish bacon loin with mustard cream sauce.
- I’ve mentioned this several times before, so I’ll keep this one brief. Studying abroad means more than just travelling to your host country. Make sure you are going to enjoy your home base, but once you get there you will find a world of cheap travel options await you to places you may not have expected.
- Boston weather got you down? Try Australia! Prefer a nice rainy day indoors to the hot sun? Ireland’s got you covered! You can find the weather that makes you happiest and go there.
- You came to school to learn didn’t you? You will learn loads of fun stuff when you study abroad. Whether its history, religion, culture, food, music, you name it your new country will impart you with what feels like years of wisdom in a few short months. While in Ireland I took a 9 week traditional Irish drum (called the bodhran) class. I learned how to roll sushi. I learned how to windsurf. I learned how to say cheers in Gaelic, Dutch, and German (Ok, this ones less impressive than it sounds, the Dutch and German cheers are pronounced the same). I did not expect to learn a single one of those things before I got here.
- You will be the STAR of Christmas morning when you come back, and have personal souvenirs to treasure and remember the best semester of your life for years to come.
