Words and photos by Gianna Messia, who studied abroad with ASA in Florence, Italy, during the Fall semester of 2024.
Why do I recommend studying abroad? Is it because of the endless plates of pasta in Italy? Or the sick slopes to ski on in the French Alps? Or maybe it's to experience Oktoberfest in Germany during the fall. There are so many positive outcomes from studying abroad. But it can be hard to find positives in the heat of moving abroad. There's a lot of anxiety, fear, and what-ifs that come with this big decision. You may be nervous about making friends or feeling homesick. And the answer is yes, this will happen, but studying abroad will also end up being the best experience of your life. And guess what? There are some facts to back that up!
If you’re learning a new language, there’s no better classroom than daily life in another country. Ordering food, making friends, or even navigating public transportation can help you significantly. It's helpful to know that English is a universal language. Speaking sentences half in English and half in another language can help you gain confidence and fluency in ways textbooks can’t. Most of your professors will be native to the country you're studying in. They have the best advice, teachings, and ways to immerse you in their culture. Also, you may find courses or research opportunities that aren’t available at home, giving you a richer academic background. Some of my friends abroad had the opportunity to partake in an internship. And to say they had an internship in Italy and were able to use it for their resume is a tremendous bragging right. Some of my classes in Italy included wine tastings, walking classes around the city, and historical content. What gets better than this?
Another reason I recommend studying abroad is to build your independence and confidence. Although you may feel that you already are confident, this experience will help you grow into a true adult. Leaving the comfort of home to live in another country requires courage. At first, it might feel new and overwhelming as you navigate the transportation systems, communicate in all different languages, and even adjust to a new currency. These challenges are exactly what make studying abroad so transformative. Every time you overcome a cultural barrier or solve a problem on your own, you build confidence. By the end of your time abroad, your independence will translate into other areas of your life. For instance, this experience you bring home to the States can help you finish your degree, meet new people, or even find new jobs! A time abroad that allowed me to grow my own confidence was solo traveling to the United Kingdom. Accidentally missing my train to the airport, I had to manage my time and navigate transportation all the way to a new country by myself. This experience has given me a lot of time to sit with my thoughts and truly learn how to manage in such an unfamiliar place. Learning from that experience, I now know not to panic and to remember, there is always a solution!
Additionally, I recommend studying abroad in order to network and create lifelong friendships! Studying abroad can open doors to meeting people all over the world, including from the U.S., South America, Europe, Asia, etc. ASA is a great program that provides a close-knit community in order for students to really get to know each other.
Beyond personal connections, networking with international professors, professionals, and peers can open doors for future career opportunities. There are so many ways to work abroad post-grad and learning, asking questions, and conversing can get you so far.
My biggest piece of advice to you all is to take this opportunity to really learn more about yourself. Things you like, things you don't like, and what you want for yourself in the future. Studying abroad will help answer a lot of these questions!
Thanks, Gianna!