The Benefits of Studying Abroad by Evan

The Benefits of Studying Abroad by Evan - November 2017 Scholarship Essay

My name is Evan Armstrong, I am a high school senior at Everett High School. I am also in my fourth quarter of college at Everett Community College through our Running Start Program. If I had the opportunity to study abroad, I believe there are three main reasons that this would help me become the best version of myself, as well as setting me up incredibly well for my future career path. Shortened down, these reasons can be listed as cultural broadening, expanded contacts, and overall life experience.
First off and perhaps the most obvious reason that many people study abroad due to, is cultural broadening. The magnitude of this can vary based off of where the student chooses to study. If they choose somewhere like Great Britain or Denmark, where almost everyone speaks English, the experience will still be vastly different from what they are used to in the US, however if they go somewhere like Germany, Spain, or anywhere where English is not a primary language, it will challenge the student in an entirely different fashion. Instead of just learning how people live and study in another country, the student will have to overcome the language barrier, thus making them all the more cultured because of it. For me, studying somewhere where there is not much English would be the ideal situation, because knowing more than one language can prove extremely useful later in life. Whether you want to ask for directions in another country, or you just want to put it on your resume, you will not regret your choice.
Secondly, a reason that I feel is often looked over, is the relationships you create with people, that could last a lifetime. You get to know people that in the future could help you find a place to stay, help you find a job, or even just someone to meet with somewhere on a beach when you are both old. The time spent with friends cannot be undervalued, because more likely than not they are the times that stand out in your memories.
Finally, the reason that must be taken into consideration more than any other, is the life experience you will gain from years spent in another country. Combining reasons from the first two topics, studying abroad you make you more mature, and more able to survive in a foreign place. When you put yourself in a new place willingly, you are preparing yourself to gain new life skills, and because of this you will be much better off if a similar situation were to happen later in life.
In conclusion, there are many reasons that I would love to study abroad, and I believe that you could make a strong argument in favor of studying abroad, rather than studying the United States. You prepare yourself for future situations that would have been problematic if you hadn’t studied abroad, you expand your catalog of life skills, and perhaps most importantly, you create relationships that could last a lifetime.