Opportunity Knocks by Priyanka

Opportunity Knocks by Priyanka - November 2017 Scholarship Essay

Within my own life, I have not been exposed to many countries, let alone even states. I was always the homebody living a sheltered life because my parents were too scared of the dangers that made up the outside world. However, what they failed to realize is that danger is all around us, but that doesn’t mean I should be hindered from exploring the world for what it truly is in its raw state. If I had the opportunity to study abroad, it would definitely change my perspective about the world itself, the people around me, as well as myself.

Exploring another country is an experience that would enable me to meet new people of a different lifestyle than my own. Perhaps I could meet someone that may end up being a lifelong friend or a new connection for a future career opportunity. Each person has their own set of experiences and knowledge to offer and I would greatly benefit from simply being in the presence of my new peers, professors, and everyday strangers that I may happen to come across on the street somewhere.

Every place has their own culture and being exposed to new types of food, music, languages, and locations is an experience worth having. Education involves having an open mind and abstaining from preconceived judgments. With the study abroad program, I would be able to open up my mind to a new environment that may be different from my own, but different in a good way. Stepping out of my comfort zone would be highly beneficial for me because when I do return from the trip, I would have the ability to empathize with people on a deeper level, make real connections, and have a better understanding of the world in general. Reading about Rome or China in my textbooks is one thing, but being able to actually experience it is one like no other.