Why Students Need to Study Abroad by Hannah

Why Students Need to Study Abroad by Hannah - March 2016 Scholarship Essay

Did you know that the Chinese can’t drive? Not a single, solitary one of them can get down a road without hitting something. Were you aware that none of the French actually bathe? That’s why they wear so much perfume, to help cover the stench. And has it occurred to you that there are people who actually believe these stereotypes? Yes, the French are very well known for their beautiful perfumes, but they certainly don’t use them as substitutes for showering. The rumor originated from history; during the plague it was unsafe to bathe, so perfumes were used to mask the smell. How do I know this? I was admiring several fancy bottles at a Parisian “perfumerie” when the tour guide told us. Yes, I have been abroad. And it has changed my life.

It’s actually really cool to have a pen pal who posts things in Spanish on your Facebook timeline. Although my Spanish is as good as cheese that has been sitting in a hot car for three years, I enjoy trying to decipher what is being said to me because it reminds me of the hilarity that ensued when we had just met. For the first time in my life, I had to use my poor, pitiful Spanish to communicate with someone. (Here’s a tip, never plan on being able to use your phone’s translation app in Europe. It will fail you.) Even though Miriam lives in Italy, it is I who used the bigger hand gestures in attempt to demonstrate what I was trying to say to her. A few hours later, Miriam invited my entire family over for a home cooked dinner one evening. I wasn’t quite sure I understood, because we had just met each other and the idea was quite odd to me. But on July 18, 2013, I had the best dinner of my life. She cooked a nine course meal for 20 people from scratch. Italians, Colombians, Belgians, and Americans, all united at one table by a common love of tiramisu and adventure. Different languages were flying back and forth, stories of cultures and traditions were explained. I learned how naive I was about this world that I lived in, and I understood why traveling is so important.

So when I came home from my first experience abroad, and I told everyone about the funny things I learned or the interesting people I met, It was apparent to me that most of my friends were just as clueless about our world as I used to be. Taj Mahal key chains and "I heart NYC" tee shirts are not why people travel. People travel to learn, to explore, to experience, and to share about their lives. And I think that everyone should have a chance to study abroad in their lifetime, because frankly, you don't know what you're missing out on until you do.