Colorado by Ben

Colorado by Ben - March 2016 Scholarship Essay

Ben Visee
3/14/16
‘Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things you didn’t do than by the ones you did do.’ – Mark Twain.

Embodied in this quote by great American Author Mark Twain is my view point of whether or not all college students should study abroad. It is my personal opinion that all students should learn about different societies and cultural norms, and what better way is there than through cultural emersion via studying abroad. I know for a fact that it is in my greatest intent to broaden my education by studying in a foreign environment, and I think all students should do the same. Although I’m sure it is terrifying and difficult to be emerged into a completely different climate, I believe that the knowledge and experience gained from the venture will completely outweigh the negative and adverse effects. If all college students were to study abroad, there would be immeasurable positive consequences being brought back to the United States. Overall, students would have a more objective and open perspective view point on world issues. It would allow people to see the cultural norms of different societies and guide students into being more accepting of different practices and religions. Philosopher Aristotle stated “It is the mark of an educated mind to be able to entertain a thought without accepting it.” Studying in different cultures will force students be entertain ideas they do not necessarily agree with in, but in turn will allow them to still be educated on the subject(s).
However, coming from a socially libertarian point of view, I do not think it should be required for college students to study abroad. With there being a plethora of benefits by requiring students to travel abroad, there are also ample negative consequences. As for me personally, and I’m sure many others, studying abroad is a large financial burden that I may not be able to afford. Unless colleges pay for the time abroad (without hiking up tuition fees even more), I think it is unrealistic to require students to pay for something they are unable to afford or might not even want to do in the first place. Going along with that, If this nation requires that any person attending post-secondary education travel out of the country it is directly violating people’s free will. My fear is that if the nation is allowed to require everyone who attends college to study abroad because the institutions believe it will be beneficial, it will set a precedent for other “beneficial” requirements determined by institutions. If someone does not want to study abroad, for whatever reason (sickness, fear, financial burdens, and personal reasons) they should have the choice not to go. There are a variety of situations that require a person’s presence, and it is unfair and inhumane to require that person to leave in order to receive a higher education.
I love the idea of having all college students studying abroad and expanding their knowledge and world view points. I love the idea of having a society made up of people who have experienced uncomfortable situations they were forced to work through resulting in making them a better person. The idea of requiring every college student to study abroad is just unrealistic with an immeasurable amount of negative consequences and issues that could arise. I do not love the idea of requiring such a large thing from anyone who wants to broaden their knowledge in post-secondary education. Studying abroad programs offer so many benefits and everyone I’ve talked to about their time abroad has told me it was the best experience they’ve had. With that being said, every student should still be able to make the choice for themselves, not have it predetermined. It should be strongly encouraged for all college students to study abroad, but it should not be required.