It seems like every other day there's a list circulating Facebook of the same arbitrary reasons as to why you need to study abroad in college. On multiple occasions, I have found myself reading these lists and by the end of them, I have perpetually felt like the odd man out. Am I really missing out on some of the best experiences of my life by not studying abroad? Truthfully, the answer to that question is probably yes, but I will not allow that to taint my overall college experience. So, if you have also decided to not study abroad, here's a list you can relate to:
4 Reasons Why Your Life Isn't Over If You Didn't Study Abroad In College
1. Studying abroad is not the end-all, be-all of your college years.
Yes, studying abroad during your college years definitely fits into the cliché of a "once-in-a-lifetime opportunity" but that does not mean it is necessarily for everyone. Here's what you have to accept: studying abroad is a great opportunity and will change many student's lives for the better. If you have an opportunity and want to make studying abroad fit into your schedule, then definitely study abroad. Although if it doesn't work out, know that you are not alone. Though it may seem like everyone you have ever met is studying abroad, realize that the number of students studying abroad still represents just about 1 percent of all U.S. students enrolled at institutions of higher education in the United States. So, technically if you don't study abroad, you are part of the 99 percent.
2. You can spend the semester interning rather than traveling.
It has been said that studying abroad can give applicants an edge in the job market, but more than likely an employer would rather see previous interning and work experience listed on a candidate's resume. Spending a semester interning will probably not get you as many likes on instagram than you posing in front of the Eiffel Tower would, but it could definitely help you in the long run for that post-graduation job hunt. Consciously deciding to not study abroad so you can intern, take classes in your major, or focus on your career is a rational decision you are allowed to make.
3. Your bank account will thank you.
For those who are monetarily conscious, not studying abroad will protect your money from the actual thousands of temptations on foreign soil (such as purchasing Italian leather bags and key chains for every single one of your cousins). It's no secret that studying abroad is expensive. The good news is if you're studying abroad currently, the American dollar recently hit an 11-year high against the euro! On the flip side though, when you study abroad for a full year, or even just a semester, you more than likely will not be able to work. That means you'll be spending ample amounts of cash but won't be making any. So if you were saving up to buy a car or even preparing to pay off your college loans, studying abroad may create an obstacle for those once thought-out plans.
4. Did someone say Spring Break? You can visit your friends who are abroad!
Just because you didn't study abroad does not mean you can't visit your friends who are abroad! Spring Break is a great time to make a killer playlist, hop on a plane and run through the airport to hug your best friend you haven't seen in months. Meet your friends in the country they are studying in or meet them in a country you all have never been to but have always wanted to explore. If you want to travel during your life, know wholeheartedly that not studying abroad will not stop you from exploring the world on your own time!
Seriously though, if you are someone who has been looking for permission to not study abroad then look no further. If you've thought about it and have consciously decided to focus your time and money on other activities during your college years, you are 100 percent granted permission to stay where you are.