My Thoughts, Exactly.

Below is a copy of my application for a scholarship I'm applying for, for students studying in the UK. The instructions were to write an essay on why every student should study abroad. It could only be 600 words, and my first draft started off around 1000, so it was hard to cut it down. Thank you to everyone who threw ideas at me and let me bounce ideas off of you along the way, and for the inspiration I've got from talking to all of you about my exchange. If nothing else, it was a great way to begin appreciating my trip even more--before it even begins. Anyway, here it is! :) Why Every Student Should Study Abroad During my first year at university I came across the intriguing concept that everything we could ever know is already in our brains; when we learn something new, we are simply snapping together synapses that already exist. Let’s say I try glacial canyoning in Switzerland and experience the science behind wetsuits. Snap. I walk into a bathroom in Peru and regretfully discover that “caballeros” means “men” after all. Snap. I attempt the Australian didgeridoo and discover that it has a wax mouthpiece and that performers of the instrument must use circular breathing. Snap, snap. Travelling is learning. Learning is travelling. I truly believe that it is impossible to accomplish one without the other. The moment we are born, our innate desire to learn motivates us to connect these synapses and discover the world around us. However, instead of fostering this natural yearning as we age, we smother curiosity, accustom ourselves to routine and begin to perceive our lives, cultures and habits as boring and monotonous. Seeking change by studying abroad is a productive way to cure this unfortunate perception because learning occurs constantly —in the classroom and out. Poet Moslih Eddin Saadi wrote, “A traveller without observation is a bird without wings”, a simple statement that perfectly captures studying abroad. Observation and integration into a new society is what allows us to thrive while overseas. In societies that view institutional schooling as the principal form of learning and where facts are conveniently only a Wikipedia search away, it is vital to embrace the entire learning spectrum by incorporating learning through experience. Studying abroad presents many more chances to learn than in one’s home country because in addition to scholarly education, there are opportunities to become familiar with new music, languages, politics and nature. The plethora of new surroundings satisfies our hunger to learn by presenting activities such as visiting a museum, attending a ballet, or tasting foreign cuisine. Experiencing diverse cultures also helps us to appreciate our own traditions and to realize alternative means of approaching everyday tasks, developing an open-mindedness that our world could certainly use more of. In addition to being a source of cultural exploration and growth, studying abroad also plays an instrumental role in self-discovery. There are limitless opportunities to venture outside of our comfort zone: new foods to try, words to learn and activities to attempt. In foreign countries, we are inevitably faced with challenges that require adaptability, resourcefulness, and practicality to overcome. Succeeding in these situations helps us to realize self-potential, gain independence, become aware of our surroundings and improve our critical thinking, organizational and social skills. These skills, among others, make us less susceptible to danger and aid with finding employment, reacting in emergency situations, and creating networking contacts, both at home and abroad. Studying abroad is not only beneficial for the individual, but an important step in perpetuating international development for a brighter global future. By working with others internationally and combining various social, cultural and religious views, we can grow faster and more efficiently as a generation. Think of the benefits to medicine, business, education and other fields, if people from all different backgrounds worked together to achieve a common goal. Studying abroad is an invaluable opportunity to begin communicating with others, a skill that allows communities to grow and countries to prosper. It is an efficient way to learn in new environments, a way to improve mental health and avoid boredom by providing change, a route to self-discovery and greater independence and a chance to create a globally connected future. Why should every student study abroad? Simply because it would be a travesty not to. Thanks for reading, Beckers