An Opportunity, Not a Requirement by Nicholas

An Opportunity, Not a Requirement by Nicholas - March 2016 Scholarship Essay

Studying abroad is a tremendous opportunity for any student to take in his or her college career. Going abroad anywhere and for any reason, whether it is to a country speaking one’s native language or an entirely foreign country where all aspects of culture and language are new to the student, is enriching and serves to broaden perspectives. The best students are capable of being worldly and open beyond just their academic standing in school. Studying abroad is not for everyone, however. When certain goals or financial constraints block the, the risk for the student is less if he or she did not go abroad. Not every student should study abroad, but if the opportunity presents itself, and one is willing, then the chance to study abroad should not be passed by.

Performing one’s studies abroad allows a student to set one’s self apart from his or her major and the other students in his or her class. I am a mechanical engineering student at the University of Portland and I plan to study abroad at my school’s Salzburg campus in Austria. I love studying engineering. Math and science come naturally to me and I do not think that I could have put myself into a better program. My direction of study does often feel constraining. The degree plan for an engineer is restrictive. I want to do more besides just engineering, but in the confines of my university, I cannot. I am disappointed that I cannot get a minor or second major in philosophy, history, or the arts. I chose to study abroad for this reason. If I did not make the decision to go to Austria next spring, I would never get the chance to learn the German language, or take history while pursuing my degree. I value these pursuits almost as equally as I value engineering. Other engineers that I will be traveling with feel the same way. I believe this sets us apart from our class. Studying abroad allows students to do more than just what their degree dictates. The willingness and enthusiasm to broaden one’s self is not universal in all students, and should not be expected from all.

Studying abroad says plenty otherwise about the participants. When I chose to participate in my school’s program, I felt a mix of both excitement and a small amount of fear. I have hardly left the west coast of the United States, let alone the continent. This program is my best chance at experiencing a whole new realm of culture and society, and I took it despite the amount of anxiety that comes with it. I have been warned that studying abroad is more challenging and can be a shock to a student’s system had they never been abroad before. These risks and fears are issues that I will take in stride while I travel. This opportunity will be worth anything that happens, whether I am sacrificing my comfort or my 4.0 grade point average. This says a lot about anybody seizing the chance to go abroad. The willingness to take risks in order to broaden one’s self and global perspective sets that student apart from all the rest.

It is not always possible, however, for students to study abroad, and that is okay. As an engineer, I was lucky that there was any opportunity for me to study abroad. My school has one program for engineers to study abroad that does not push graduation back a year for some students. Had I not already had some college credits from high school, I most likely would not have been able to study abroad without extending my time in university. For many students I know this is the case, restricting their access to the program.

The problem with extending one’s degree program another year is financial. The University of Portland is a private school, so tuition is no small sum. Another semester or another year could mean tens of thousands of dollars extra in student loans. This is a financial burden that I personally know I could not take. I have confidence in my capability to succeed as an engineer, yet the amount of debt I will accrue still frightens me. The cost to study abroad is a smaller addition to this debt that I will take on in the future, but I am willing to take it for the opportunity. Students who do not believe that they will be able to easily pay off this debt should not be expected to study abroad. I hope that the burden of my debt will not be too great for me, although I am confident that, moving forward, my debt will not hamper my success.

Studying abroad is a unique opportunity that is not for everyone. Not all students are comfortable with the risks or anxieties that come with leaving their home. For others, the fear of student loans and not being able to keep up with their fellow students in their major is enough to hold them back from studying abroad. That being said, the students who do make the decision to go abroad are noteworthy. I am proud to be among them despite the risks and debt I will take on in order to expand my cultural knowledge and global perspective.