Away You Should Go by Taryn

Away You Should Go by Taryn - March 2016 Scholarship Essay

College is a time where students learn and try new things. Whether it be living on their own or going to places they’ve never been before. The question of studying abroad is brought up a lot with students. Should I do it? Can I do it? How will it be? In reality, though, students should all study abroad. It’s a great way to meet new people, try new things, and get to see more of the world we live in.
About 64% of Americans have never left America. They’ve never seen the beautiful world across the ocean or under the equator. Students in college should be able to see the Alps or the Himalayas, the Eifel Tower or the Taj Mahal. It’s a great experience to see the amazing architectural and artistic values of the landmarks. I have personally had the privilege to travel to a few countries in Europe. I was able to learn how Germans felt about the Berlin wall and the Holocaust from Germans. I got to learn about the different castles in Prague. They took us to see St. Thomas’s Church, where Bach originally played, the top of the Alps in Austria, the Berlin wall, a concentration camp, and so many other fascinating places. Not only did I get to learn about things around me but I was able to have fun doing it.
Not only will students be able to learn about the history and the surroundings but they’ll be able to learn about the culture. This is always important in society. People should learn about other cultures so they have a better understanding of how the world works. If college students were able to do this it would bring on a much different generation for the future. They can learn about the food, dress, and the things that are a lot more socially acceptable. In the countries I went to, there was no such thing as personal space, everyone seemed comfortable being close to complete strangers. It was strange for me, but then I remembered this is what they are used to. It’s also a lot quieter over there. If you’re loud in a restaurant, you got a dirty look. Here it’s a norm. It was enlightening to learn these things about other cultures.
College students now have a choice of studying abroad. I feel like if they had to take at least one semester in another country, it’ll be the best thing that could happen to them. It’s new, it’s fun, and it’s a great educational experience. Everyone should be able to feel that amazing feeling I was able to feel when I was abroad.