The Choice by Shelby

The Choice by Shelby - March 2016 Scholarship Essay

There’s nothing I wouldn’t give to learn the romantic language of French while whirled onto a completely new continent, being in seeing-eye distance of the Eiffel Tower, all in the comfort of my dorm room. I would love to be immersed in Latin culture, to be able to visualize – in-person – the artwork in the Museo del Prado, to hear the gorgeous sounds in the Sydney Opera House. I honestly think it’s a massive, amazing way of learning; it gives you an edge on your resume after college, by many reviews “is a better learning environment”, and enhances your level in your major simply because you’re faced with the situation in which now you’re learning a whole new side to whatever it is you plan on working in the rest of your life. Non-arguably, it’s an amazing experience. However, I have to assert my opinions that students should not be required rather than given the choice to study abroad.
To not have roads crossed, I would like to say that studying abroad is a big deal, nothing can truly compete with this environment of learning. I make my case in the easy fact that studying abroad isn’t afforded to all students. For most, it’s nearly impossible to escape college as it is without student loans having to be paid off. Add in the costs of going to a new continent, having to pay the extra expenses, and it equals a solution of massive debt.
Now, in other countries, getting the huge opportunity to experience a completely new way of life, and even facing the awkward situation of having to learn to drive on the “wrong” (or should I say right) side of the street, it could seem like an entirely new universe. For artists, being exposed to a new culture’s side of art is amazing because it expands their brains to new creative ideas and intellect. As a musician, it would be so incredible to learn new styles and thought processes, hand-on, of music and composing from a teacher who is completely in method and structure than a teacher from back home. The more you learn the more of an edge in competition you have, which makes for a great career outside of college. The question I had to answer was if students should be required to study abroad, but everyone knows that realistically, that just can’t be possible because some people just don’t have the expenses to afford that opportunity. Do I think that all students should consider the option of studying abroad? Do I think it offers such a great variety and different environment? Do I think that it creates independence and would make impeccable memories of travel? Yes, yes, and yes. But if the requirement hinders or overburdens a person’s ability after college to make a life for themselves, then the requirement would be redundant.

Afforded the chance, if I truly had the expenses, I would take the offer any day. I would love to learn the romantic language of French, and to see the Eiffel Tower from my dorm room. I would love to be immersed in Latin culture, to go to the Museo del Prado, to play the piano in the Sydney Opera House, because these are all amazing chances. But these should be choices to be made by each and every individual, not requirements.