Over this winter break, I took the opportunity to study abroad, and it’s something I would recommend that you do.
Studying abroad was something that I have wanted to do since I was in high school. I originally wanted to do a full semester, but due to scheduling, doing a winter term was my best option.
I went through a Ferris affiliate program and found myself leaving for Rome on Dec. 28, where I stayed for three weeks.
I know that studying abroad is expensive and it’s not easily affordable for college students, however there are scholarship options available. These options range depending on many factors including how long you’ll be abroad. Not only that, but I was given a $200 discount for Ferris being an affiliate college.
Through the program, I had my flight, apartment and meals all taken care of so all I had to do was show up at the airport and then collect my meal vouchers and grocery cards in Italy.
For me, that was the first time I had ever traveled outside of the United States, and honestly, I was nervous. I’m sure that most people who have thought about studying abroad have chosen not to for this reason, but I know that the second I was on that plane, my nervousness turned into excitement.
Due to it being a winter class, I did have three hours of class five days a week, which, depending on your college schedule, might seem like a lot, but most days flew by due to the number of activities and discussions.
I took intercultural communication, meaning several of my class days were spent walking around different parts of the city and seeing how Italian culture differed from the U.S.
When I wasn’t in class, there were several tours set up for me to explore the city, including the Colosseum and the Vatican. I was also located right in the heart of the city in the Trastevere section, allowing me to ride the tram to classes and take in the sights of the city.
I will say that studying abroad culture shock, even for three weeks, is very real. In the time that I was over there, I adapted to dinner time, typically being 8 p.m., bottles not having caps that screw all the way off, paying for water and tax automatically being included with everything.
It was intimidating having to learn all of this during the first week that I was there, but it also gave me insight into how things that I considered to be normal are not always normal everywhere.
The hesitation about studying abroad can be real. I know that there were a few things that were a culture shock that I didn’t care for while I was abroad. I’m someone who needs a lot of personal space, and one of the things I noticed while I was in Italy was how little personal space seemed to matter. I would usually end up having someone stand next to me rather than in an empty spot when I was waiting for the tram.
However, these negative experiences didn’t take away from the overall experience I had over there. They were mere seconds long in comparison to the amazing experiences I had during my time there. I say this because change is scary, and going abroad is scary, but at the end of the day, I don’t regret this experience for even a second.
NAFSA: Association of International Educators found that 1% of students in higher education participate in study abroad. While I didn’t do a full semester, I am still a part of the few who have had the chance to study abroad.
As I near the end of my time here at Ferris, I know that my study abroad experience will stick with me far longer than any class that I took here. Memories are a core part of one’s self, and I’m happy to be walking away from college with the memory of getting to go to a new country. I hope you consider making that a part of your college memories too.