A Fish In New Waters by Autumn

A Fish In New Waters by Autumn - March 2016 Scholarship Essay

Imagine taking fish out of the Atlantic Ocean and placing them in the Pacific Ocean. Two similar yet vastly different environments. They would be so shocked and scared of their unfamiliar surroundings and the fact that it was against their will. This would be the same as requiring all college students to study abroad. This shouldn’t be a requirement because some people can’t handle culture shock, students may not be okay being far away from their main resources, and some may have fear of foreign violence and government.

Although some countries have similarities, many things change once you cross the ocean. There’s different currency, diets, transportation, and diseases. You also have to learn what’s socially and culturally acceptable in these foreign areas. Students will be spending more time trying to get accustom to their surroundings more than their studies. Various vaccines and conversions of money, electronics, dietary, and medical needs would have to be made before even traveling. That’s a lot to prepare for just get go get an education in a new environment. It’s not fair to be a requirement but a choice with preparation is fine.

Depending on where the student travels, a flight to get to them would average 8 to 15 hours at the least. If something were to happen to them, it would take a lot of time and money to get to them in another country. Their resources and support system are on another continent and students may not be comfortable being on their own so far away. Going away for college in the United States is so different from going away to another country. Traveling and access to money and other resources is more convenient and quick. Studying abroad being a requirement puts the student at a possibility of being too far from their loved ones and not being able to function.

Lastly, not every country have a peaceful government. Like in Syria right now, many people are starving and poor. You never know what could happen in these foreign countries at the student’s time of travel. You shouldn’t require travel against someone’s will just for an education. It’s not fair to those who may be concerned about their safety.

In the end, studying abroad may be a nice experience but making it a requirement apart of the student’s secondary education isn’t right. It should be up to the student and the student alone.