A Global World Requires a Global Education by Elena

A Global World Requires a Global Education by Elena - November 2017 Scholarship Essay

In less than nine months, I will move out of my house for the first time in my life, and I'll move into a dorm building with several thousand other young adults to pursue a college education. I have no doubt that college will be a life-changing and personality-shaping experience, and thinking about leaving for college is equally nerve wracking and thrilling. I'm looking forward to all the 'firsts' that come with college: the challenging classes, living independently, and studying abroad. I will study abroad regardless of where I end up attending college, and though it won't be my first time traveling abroad, it will certainly be the first time I become fully immersed in a foreign community for several months. I've decided to study abroad for several reasons, but I think the experience would positively affect my education by advancing my foreign language skills, giving me the chance to see education in the wider sense, and immersing me in a culture very different from my own.
I first fell in love with the idea of studying abroad in my freshman year Spanish class. That had been my third year taking Spanish, and the first year it had clicked that I could actually communicate in another language, more than talking about my favorite color and the foods I like. I was very motivated to learn more and more Spanish, and it became a passion of mine. One of my long-term goals became to become fluent in Spanish. Also, my teacher, a recent college grad, told lots of stories about her time studying in Granada, Spain, and I was mesmerized by them. She inspired me to continue with learning Spanish, and to pursue studying abroad when the time came. When I get to study abroad, I will look into a Spanish-speaking country so that I can improve my Spanish language skills.
Another positive impact I believe my time studying abroad will have on my education is to give me a picture of the wider scope of education in the global sense. Right now, my experience with education is fairly limited. I have gone to a public school in Overland Park, Kansas for the last ten years, so I haven't experienced other forms of education, systems, schedules, or testing than the ones implemented by the state of Kansas. Studying abroad, I believe, will give me another perspective as a base for my education. I will be able to take classes with people who are a part of a different education system from mine, and I will be able to learn from people with completely different backgrounds. As a student abroad, I will be positively influenced by the new educational system and experiencing the wider expression of education.
In addition, I hope to gain a stronger appreciation for culture from studying abroad. As previously mentioned, I have travelled abroad for short periods of time, but never for an extended period of time. Even in those short periods, though, I have felt a connection to the people in those communities and an understanding of their way of life. I feel that culture is really important to an educational experience because as more and more things become global, an understanding of cultures around the world is vital. Because so many things reach beyond my local circle, I cannot afford to be closed-minded to the rest of the world if I want to be successful in a career. Studying abroad will give me the opportunity to learn about a new culture and develop a deep appreciation for it.
Having a study abroad experience as a part of my college education would be an incredible way to expand my college experience. Not only would it advance my language skills, but it would give me a global perspective for the rest of my education, giving me a deeper understanding of the things I learn, and implant a strong appreciation of different cultures. I hope that wherever I go to college, I will be able to have the life changing opportunity to live and study in another country. I know that the world exists outside of my immediate circle, and I can't wait to see it and live it.