Why You Should Study Abroad
Buongiorno!
This past semester I studied abroad in Italy through the Joseph S. Bruno Program offered by Auburn’s College of Human Sciences. It seems like just yesterday I was a college freshman walking from my dorm to Spidle Hall to sign up for what I had no idea was going to be an experience of a lifetime. I truly believe that studying abroad was one of the best decisions I made for myself, and here’s why:
You have the opportunity to fully immerse yourself in another culture.
I don’t know what the future holds, but I know that I probably won’t have the opportunity to live in a different country for months at a time, so I wanted to take full advantage of this gift. Living in another country for an extended period of time allows you to adapt to and understand the culture, traditions, and people of your host country. Frankly, you have to adjust to a new way of life. This can be difficult at times, especially when there is a language barrier between you and what feels like the rest of the country, which leads me to my second reason,
2. You can take your personal development to the next level.
I enjoy making myself uncomfortable. This may sound odd, but I have learned that in life, you are never going to grow if you stay in your comfort zone. You can embrace this in small ways, such as trying a new food or activity. But in my case, I found myself uncomfortable (at first) living and adapting to a new way of life. For instance, walking around the local supermarket looking like a deer in headlights while also not being able to read any labels was definitely awkward. Love this! Made me laugh and I really felt your struggle. Throughout my semester abroad, I became more comfortable and accepting of this new life and all it had to offer. I was slowly learning the language and picking up on small things, such as how Italians don’t order an espresso after noon. This is great too, who would have known not to order an espresso after noon!
3. You get to meet new people and form relationships based on unique experiences.
Lastly, you will meet new people and create new friendships that are unlike any other friendships at college. Even though I was living in such an exciting place, real life still existed. We went through ups and downs together, supporting each other in our difficult moments. Going into my study abroad, I knew some familiar faces but I was not close with anyone on the program. This gradually shifted as I lived, traveled, and learned a new lifestyle with sixteen other girls 24/7 for three months, and I couldn’t be more grateful to have met these people at this time in my life. The sorority house life I never had was fulfilled this semester.
Ciao ciao,
Hannah Cherrin
