To Gain Experience, To Live More Fully, To Study Abroad by Caressa

To Gain Experience, To Live More Fully, To Study Abroad by Caressa - November 2017 Scholarship Essay

Studying abroad is an opportunity of a life time. Despite the cost, I believe that every person should try to study abroad at least once in their life. No matter the country you go to, the skills you attain, the people you meet, and the culture you learn about will shape you as a person unlike any other experience. Being there in person forces you to interact with the people who live there and live the way they do, which will give you not only great experiences, but also gives you a new way of thinking about life.
Personally, I feel like studying abroad will positively impact my college education because I will be introduced to brand new things that we are not exposed to here in the United States. For example, in Ireland college is free as well as health care. The cities are typically small enough to where you do not even need to use a car. Many people in Ireland don’t even have their license simply because they are able to get out in nature and either walk or ride a bike to where they need to go because everything is so close. Many of the schools there in Ireland where uniforms which is quite different from our schools and colleges here in the U.S where most of our schools only have modified dress codes to follow. The clothing stores, restaurants, and several other community aspects are different from the U.S. Overall my point is that, living in another country -even if just for one semester- can expose students to new ways of living that are unlike what we have here in the United States.
In addition to being exposed to new ways of life, studying abroad will also give me the chance to grow as a person. This can happen through simply interacting with the people of that country. Aside from their accents, their way of living can shape me as a person. The way they cook and how they engage and interact with each other are perfect examples of things that can influence me and the way I think. When studying abroad, I would inevitably pick up their habits and obtain skills they teach. In terms of opening up, being in another country without knowing anybody will obviously be intimidating, so it will force me to get out there, talk to people, and create new friendships.
As well as personal growth, studying abroad will also help with expanding the quality of education I get. Often times when you study in another country, the way that country teaches is different, therefore studying abroad gives college students the opportunity to not only learn new and interesting things, but also learn those things in a new way. I will be introduced to new ways of learning and new ways of teaching. My knowledge about the world will be expanded because I will be taught from people with new perspective.
In conclusion, I feel that studying abroad will positively affect my college education because it will introduce me to brand new ways of life, help me grow as a person, and expand my quality of education, which will in the end help me finishing out school and with my future career.