Gaining More Than You Think by Caren

Gaining More Than You Think by Caren - November 2017 Scholarship Essay

Studying abroad is a dream for many, but never accomplished by most. Many people do not ever leave their home state and take the chance to catch a glimpse of the world we live in. Studying abroad would positively impact my education by increasing my knowledge of another region. It as well would improve my personal development as a student and improve my language skills needed for my future.
As a high school senior, I have only traveled to a few places outside the United States. Although I have only been to South America and Mexico, each trip is a new learning adventure. Studying abroad would do the same, but it is much more than a vacation. Studying abroad would give me the chance to see the different values of other people. It would give me a chance to encounter people with different views as I will encounter in the future. In addition, studying abroad will help me gain knowledge of different customs, traditions, and cultural perspective. Studying abroad is different than traveling during a school break. Many people who enjoyed their vacation wish they could go back the minute they step foot on a plane. Imagine the opportunity to further your education and have a vacation at the same time!
Studying abroad would also positively impact my education by increasing my personal development. When studying abroad, you are forced to get out of your comfort zone. Being uncomfortable or unsure in a situation will help you problem solve. Problem-solving comes in handy as you are on your own away from your parents but will also help with your education. Nevertheless, you also discover yourself while discovering a new place. Discovering yourself has a positive impact on your education. You figure out what interest you which contributes to what you decide to major in.
Another factor that would positively impact my college education is studying abroad would give me the chance to practice my language skills. I am bilingual and that has helped me in my studies. My brain is constantly switching from English to Spanish. Studying abroad would give me the opportunity to study a foreign language and give me a place to practice it. According to Miguel Angel Munos’s online article, ‘Does Being Bilingual Make You Smarter?”, people who know more than one language and utilize it “are used to switching between their two languages, they are also better at switching between tasks, even if these tasks are nothing to do with language.”
Ultimately, studying abroad would positively impact my education in all aspects. It would improve my knowledge of other cultures, traditions, and values of other people. Studying abroad would impact my personal growth as a student in a positive way. Being away from home forces a person to step out of their comfort zone. Also, another positive impact on my education would be the practice of my language skills. Knowing more than one language will help me in my future profession as a cardiologist. Studying somewhere other than home will make you wiser and more knowledgeable than before.