Being a student means being full of dreams and energy to fulfill those dreams. But here comes a dilemma. Will spending some time abroad negatively affect your studies? No one can answer that. Your academic success depends solely on you, but who told you that it could only distract you from studies? Here come 5 good reasons that are worth consideration. Plus, if not during your student years, when else?
#1 New Knowledge
Deciding to travel abroad you’ll definitely come across many new things you haven’t known ever before. Let’s say, if that’s your first time traveling, you’ll get to know how to properly pack your stuff (which is quite a useful skill), how to plan beforehand, etc. In another country they have their own specifications and many things may work differently there.
Going abroad, far away without any knowledge of it may seem adventurous, but it is not the best choice, indeed. Make a proper research of a country of your choice, especially if it’s a truly distant country with a whole new world of traditions, culture, and people-who-are-not-like-you. Enrich your knowledge! It suits any intelligent person and much more for a student. Who knows maybe the new knowledge you will get will help you in your further studies, like in your dissertation or thesis writing.
#2 Experience
Break your biases, step over your own boundaries, challenge yourself! Travelling is the best time to experience new things. No time for seeing everything with your own standards. Whenever you get a chance to eat new food, just try it even if it doesn’t look as fancy as you hoped it would. If locals enjoy something, then you have to get know why. Who cares if you have diarrhea later when you can boast of eating live octopus under the spicy sauce? Bad experience is also an experience, though prepare to your trip beforehand.
Don’t just be a tourist, become one unity with the locals. Take part in traditional celebrations, games, festivals, or whatever there is. In 10 years, you might forget that you saw a couple of Africans performing their tribe dance, but you’ll never forget how you enjoyed yourself dancing together with them.
#3 New Friends
Nothing more to add. New friends. Lots of new friends if you’re talkative enough. Well, that’s not exactly the only quality you need to have, of course, but the only true thing you need to possess is an open mind. Once you’re open to the people around you, you’ll naturally have someone beside you. Consider all the benefits you get:
- you get to know the country’s culture, the way the people live
- you’ll know the facts, news, details you won’t get from books or the Internet
- locals can take you to places guides don’t even know about
- you can start to learn a local language
- you simply have a friend, you can visit him again next time, you can invite him to your country, or you just have another person to share a company
#4 See Yourself
You think you know yourself? Is that true? When people travel, many adventures may occur. One may easily get into an unfamiliar situation, especially since they are caught up in an unfamiliar place with an unfamiliar environment. Even if you know how to act in certain situations, you may find yourself lost or indecisive. Vice versa, people who lack confidence may find their long-lost courage to act like their hearts tell them to.
The human heart is a big mystery. Living every day like you’re used to makes a strong habit. The older you get, the harder it is for you to break free from that habit and think outside of your expectations. While traveling, one has a once-in-a-life opportunity to dive deep into their own feelings, thoughts, and see the person behind the everyday veil. A chance to face your fears, a chance to see your dreams, a chance to see the path you’re walking and change the direction while you can.
#5 Find Yourself
So, once you can clearly see who you are, see your strong sides and your weaknesses, you can truly find yourself. While observing how people live their lives in another country, you may get an idea of what you truly want to do yourself. For example, watching as people in poor countries work hard and still live happily may show you the key to your own happiness. Traditional crafts and cultural heritage can be a great source of inspiration for anything you do. And it’s not about your field of expertise. If you’re studying to be an engineer that doesn’t mean you can’t get inspired by looking at people dance.
Whatever the country you choose, no matter how much time you spend there, just live it up to the max. Each and every travel is precious and gives us unmeasurable opportunities. Grab them once you’re full of youth and energy!