Studying abroad changes you.

The chance to experience a new culture enables you to connect with people on a deeper, and more meaningful level.

College is a place where you will learn, and most importantly grow. Now, that sounds a little boring. It is important to push yourself to do things out of your comfort zone, and one of those things is taking the leap to travel abroad.

There is no better way to immerse yourself in a foreign language than living in another country. Being around native speakers makes it a lot easier to learn a new language.

In other countries there are opportunities to do things that you wouldn’t normally do here.

In a place like Spain you have the chance to watch the running of the bulls in real life.

If there is an opportunity to study abroad you should take it, because it is fulfilling in many ways, according to Marcus Campbell, principal. The only regret Campbell had in college was not taking the opportunity to study abroad.

Staying in college for four consecutive years can be repetitive. After college, many students will be looking for a job immediately to start paying back their massive college debt. Going away to spend a year abroad may not be an option. If instead they take a year abroad during college, it won’t take away a year after.

Despite the scariness of studying abroad in another country — culture differences, unsanitary tap water, and diseases are possible problems — there are safe ways to get around those issues. The dangers should not deter you, because there are ways to avoid them. Another drawback to studying abroad, depending on the rigorous courses you may be taking, is that you may have to take an extra semester. But, at the end of the day, delaying your graduation is worth the opportunity to experience a new place on another level.