As you look to study abroad, you might think that making friendships abroad might seem like a daunting task given your destination, but the long-term effects are worthwhile! Developing lifelong connections with other international students and your local peers will provide you with a deeper understanding of other cultures, after interacting effectively with people from cultures besides their own. If you’re coming back from being abroad, you’re probably thinking about how your new friends from abroad will play into the rest of your life.

If you have dreamed about stepping outside of your hometown, or college town, then there’s no better time to explore your options. Can you fully appreciate your life at college without having stepped off campus to try a new experience somewhere else? Do you think that you’d regret not going abroad once you find that stable job and career after you graduate?

If there was one thing that I am more than grateful for within the past years, it would be studying abroad. Studying abroad has enriched my life with a love for languages, new foods, and travel.

Challenges and cultural differences are to be expected, though they can come across as overwhelming at times. Culture shock can create an initial feeling where challenges seem insurmountable, but you’re not alone if you experience homesickness, loneliness, or isolation!

My name is Amanda and I recently graduated from California State University, Sacramento, with my bachelor’s in psychology. I have always been fascinated by how people perceived their situations and the process of finding one’s identity.

The intense nature of jam-packed schedules for all you 9th-12th graders can make it hard to see beyond your immediate routine. As you run between classes, extracurriculars, and sports, you probably have a limited amount of time to consider the immense value of opportunities like a trip abroad and travel.