It's Up to You: Studying Abroad in College by Jessica

It's Up to You: Studying Abroad in College by Jessica - March 2016 Scholarship Essay

Studying abroad is a great way for students to be able to experience the world and learn about different cultures. That being said, I don’t think it should be a requirement to study abroad in college. There is a concern of money, for one, and there is a factor of if students really want to study abroad.
I have always wanted to travel all around the world, and it’s a dream of mine to learn about different cultures and ways of life. But, one of the biggest setbacks is being able to afford the travel and living costs in another country. And I know I am not the only student who has run into this roadblock. College students come from every background imaginable, from those who can barely pay for college, to those who have a surplus saved up for a rainy day. College is expensive as it is, and I think tacking on another huge expense would either disqualify students or turn them away.
Then, there’s the concern of demand. Some students just don’t want to leave the country. It may be hard for them to study out-of-state, let alone out-of-country. And some students are perfectly satisfied with staying within the boundaries of the United States. To me, this seems a bit ignorant, but I can understand that they don’t want to leave their comfort zone. College is a place of self-discovery and taking risks, but I believe those risks should be taken only if you want to take them.
In all, I think it should be an option to study abroad. I would highly recommend studying abroad to students, but if it’s not their cup of tea, then it’s just not. I don’t believe in forcing people to do something they don’t want to do.