Cherry on a Sundae by Alexandra

Cherry on a Sundae by Alexandra - March 2016 Scholarship Essay

Cherry on a Sundae
All college students must be required to study abroad with one exception: the cost of the experience must be significantly reduced by the university in which one studies. If a student maintains a certain GPA and the university pays for part of the expense, then they should be required to study abroad in order to enhance their knowledge of the world and understanding of other cultures. Being required to study abroad should be considered a privilege and reward for students who have good grades. The price of studying abroad should come with the institute like a cherry on a sundae. The majority of college students are buried in student loans, so the chance to study abroad may be limited otherwise.
A trip to the other side of the world to explore another culture and other ways of living can change a student’s life for the better by creating emotional ties between the new culture and themselves. Despite the fact that America is the world’s melting pot, students should be exposed to different cultures. If colleges require students to study abroad, the students will engage one-on-one with people of cultures other than their own. This radical process will raise a new generation- youth who will grow up with the knowledge of how to inspire peace and prosperity between countries all over the world. Not only that, but the students who travel abroad have the opportunity to make friends that will last a lifetime. Unfortunately, for most middle or lower class families the price to study abroad is too much. Not only that, but the cost of studying abroad is stacked with the price of college as a whole. The average class of 2015 will have to pay back a little more than $35,000 of student-loan debt. Due to this, many students will have to post-pone major life events such as getting married or buying a home. As time goes forward, college students are becoming more and more crippled in debt. Financially, if the university does not help pay for a study abroad trip, then the university should not have study abroad at all. So, the financial aspect and the emotional aspect of studying abroad both play a large role in helping the young adults of society grow and learn.
Lastly, college is a rigorous and difficult process for most. Many students show several signs of stress, emotional instability, and do not have a lot of time to relax. Every human should have time to relax and de-stress. An opportunity to study abroad will allow them do this. The student will be exposed to learning in a new and different environment. Studying abroad should allow the student to de-stress because they will have the opportunity to take part in things they may not necessarily be able to at their university campus.
Therefore, all students that maintain a certain GPA should be required to study abroad, so long as the college or university helps with the financial aspect of it. The opportunity to study abroad will enhance the students’ motivation to do well in school and elevate their abilities to create lifelong bonds with people of cultures other than their own. Studying abroad should be the cherry on a sundae; college students are already paying for the price of college. Therefore, the study abroad experience should go along with the overall experience of college.