A Student's Choice by Celeste

Celesteof Moreno Valley's entry into Varsity Tutor's March 2016 scholarship contest

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Celeste of Moreno Valley, CA
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A Student's Choice by Celeste - March 2016 Scholarship Essay

Traveling is often thought of as a learning experience and a way to escape the monotony of everyday life. It can be romanticized as a journey of self-exploration and is considered an opportunity for people to explore being spontaneous. The chance to study abroad is almost every college student’s dream, however there could be others who do not wish to travel the world and prefer to stay at home. Neither one of these options, to study abroad or to stay at home, are inferior to the other. It is merely a matter of personal preference. However, if a student does not feel comfortable studying abroad, they should not be required to.
Students should not be required to take this risk in college, since they may experience some of the difficulties involved with studying abroad. Since the majority of college students are straight out of high school, they are not used to being completely by themselves, so traveling can make one homesick and long for the familiarity of home. Being homesick while studying abroad could hinder their enjoyment and drive to study during the trip. It would also be difficult for them to communicate in a different language in a foreign country. This language barrier can prohibit them from being able to connect with the people and learn new things. Students may also experience a “culture shock”, due to being thrown into a new culture which they may have no prior knowledge of. Many cultures have different customs and ideas than to that of America, so it would take time for someone to adjust to the unfamiliar environment. And, possibly one of the most important issues, it may be a financial inconvenience. When people think of traveling, money is usually not the first thing that comes to mind, yet it is essential if someone is planning on living comfortably in a different country.
Studying abroad may be considered a one in a lifetime opportunity that one should not miss out on, but there are many people who do not think of it in the same way. What is most important is that students get their proper education, regardless of where they are. The location in which they study would not affect how well they do in college. Students should be able to make the decision of where they would prefer to study, whether it be in a foreign country or in a public library.

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