Wait, I'm REQUIRED to Study Abroad? by Cassie

Wait, I'm REQUIRED to Study Abroad? by Cassie - March 2016 Scholarship Essay

A warm, salty breeze flows through the quaint seaside town. Vendors are lining the streets parallel to the beach, selling everything from seashell necklaces to freshly baked pies. The street is milling with people of various ethnicities, all of whom are prepared to haggle over prices.

Now, move approximately 2,000 miles north, to a large, bustling city, where the temperature is a nippy 20 degrees Fahrenheit. A biting wind causes pedestrians to pull their scarves tighter and button their coats up completely. However, the designer shops that line the streets reveal a warm and inviting environment behind their sleek windows.

These are just a few examples of settings that students could find themselves in when studying abroad. Our beautiful world is full of so many different cultures and people, there are endless opportunities for exploration. Despite borders, language barriers, or any other divisions, this planet is everyone’s to discover and enjoy. Why confine yourself to your own school, state, or even country?

However, despite how strongly colleges feel about studying abroad, a student will not gain very much from the experience if they are forced to go against their will. College is a time for students to express themselves, exercise their free will, and decide for themselves what they want to accomplish. For this reason, colleges shouldn’t require students to study abroad. Just as college isn’t for everyone, neither is studying abroad. While there are limitless positive outcomes from learning in a different country, each student learns and grows in their own unique way.

Also, if studying abroad was required, many colleges (especially ones with a large enrollment) may have a difficult time getting everyone to the country of their choice. Larger state schools can have over 30,000 students, and it wouldn’t make sense to require students to study in a country they would be unhappy in. For instance, students majoring or interested in French would most likely want to study in France. However, there is no way to guarantee that every one of those students would be sent to France, or even a French-speaking country. Also, there may not be enough financial aid for all students, which could place an unnecessary financial hardship on many students and their families.

While studying abroad is a wonderful learning tool for college students to utilize, it should only be encouraged by colleges, and not a requirement to be completed. I can personally attest that I am always more determined and successful when I am in charge of deciding which academic path to take, and I believe that positive attitude would be weakened if I knew that I was required to take a certain route during my education. Letting a student decide on their own whether or not they want to study abroad, or to participate in any other exciting activity, will undoubtedly help them achieve a greater sense of independence and self-confidence.