Choosing to pursue international studies abroad is not the kind of decision that you really want to spend a lot of time weighing. If you are young, if you have the opportunity to explore the world while you pursue an academic career, why on Earth would you think twice? If you have the chance, then board that plane and get out there. Here are just a few reasons to seriously consider looking into international studies & internships abroad.
Traveling Later in Life is Difficult
Let’s consider everything that you need to get in order so that you can travel later on in life. First of all, you need to have a great job. An entry level position at a great company will not cut it. Until you have been with a place for a few years, they are not going to be paying you enough or giving you enough vacation time to even think about leaving the country. For your first few years after college, you should probably expect your vacations to consist of visiting the next state over, not the next continent.
Then, when you finally have enough money and vacation time to travel, you might have a family to take with you. You might be too tired from work to think about going anywhere except to bed for two weeks. Look, this is your shot to check out Australia, Europe, Paris, wherever, so you may as well take it because there is no telling when the next opportunity will come along.
Domestic College is Boring
Would you rather have some interesting stories to tell about life in Spain, or yet another tale of “this really wild kegger at the frat house”? Clearly, there are stories worth hearing and stories we’re tired of listening to.
You Should Explore Your Options
Let’s say that right now, you want to be a literature major. If you have the chance to visit Greece, maybe you will discover a love of sculpture or architecture. If you visit Australia, you may fall in love with the wildlife out there. This is the time to be discovering what you are truly passionate about, don’t waste it.
Of course there are some practical concerns, but…
You Can Afford to Study Abroad
You may think living in Europe or Australia is too costly. The truth is that the US and Canada have some of the highest standards of living in the world, and some of the most expensive. The average cost of living in Europe for a student, including renting a room or a small studio apartment, food, clothing, transportation and even leisure costs, comes out to anywhere from 660 to 1,500 EUR, or anywhere from around 950 to 2,150 US dollars a month. Compare to the same expenses in the US, and you might be spending twice as much in the states as you would in England or France.