Once in a Lifetime by Mary

Once in a Lifetime by Mary - November 2017 Scholarship Essay

Part of growing up is having new experiences and traveling is a good way to make new memories and learn more about the world. Studying abroad is a good opportunity for students because it encourages them to try something new and be put into a situation they are not used to. If I were ever given the opportunity to travel abroad, I would love to take it. A Foreign Exchange Program gives students the chance to immerse themselves in a different culture and experience different customs. Additionally, learning new languages is easier when you are surrounded by the language and must speak it. Studying abroad would positively impact my college experience because I would be exposed to new cultures while making memories that would last a lifetime.
In recent years, cultural sensitivity has played a large role in how people interact. Unfortunately, many people, including myself, are uneducated about other cultures, and, therefore, do not know when we have crossed a line. We do not know what may be offensive to someone else, and when something is offensive, we think it is no big deal. Studying abroad would give me the opportunity to learn more about a different civilization, so that I better understand, honor, and respect their society. This learning experience would also provide me a way to learn about the way other people live their lives – their religions, their governments, and their customs.
Studying abroad would allow me to make new friends and memories that I would never forget. When I was a sophomore, I became friends with two foreign exchange students from Italy. I had so much fun spending time with them, and I know they enjoyed exploring the United States and seeing new sights. If I had the same chance they did, I would love to be able to study in another country and travel around to see all the country’s historical sights and greatest architectural feats. Studying abroad would give me the chance to have priceless experiences in a world unfamiliar to me.
I believe all students should be given the chance to study abroad. Studying abroad would help cultivate character by allowing students to learn about other cultures and how to treat those members of those cultures. Students would also have the chance to create irreplaceable memories and make new friends that live completely different lives. Studying abroad would positively impact my college experience by making me more culturally knowledgeable and by providing me with an array of moments that cannot be received from the typical classroom setting.