Studying abroad is an opportunity that is offered at many different colleges and universities across the country and is always taken advantage of by students. Quinnipiac offers many places to go, including but not limited to Ireland, Australia, London, Florence and Barcelona.
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Across campus, you will meet students who would never even dream about missing out on this opportunity, but for others, traveling to a different country and living in a new environment a whole semester just isnât their cup of tea. So for those of you who are on the fence, here is a list of pros and cons to help make your decision! Letâs start with the good stuff.
Pros
1.Experience a New Culture
Traveling abroad, whether alone or with friends means getting to experience an entirely new culture and to see and do things that arenât typical of the American lifestyle. Junior sociology major, Jenna Jacobi traveled to Cork, Ireland with a large group of girls from her sorority. When talking to her about her experience, there was no doubt that she knew she made the right decision in going. âI got to wake up on any given morning and enjoy a Guinness with breakfast, and then casually head into the city of cork and take in all the historical Irish culture. It was the time of my life.â Quinnipiac has a sister school at the University of College Cork in Ireland, and is the only place offered to students in the School of Health Sciences, so it is a very competitive program.
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2.Take Risks
Another definite pro to traveling to a different country is the opportunity to take adventures. Some of the girls who traveled with Jenna went sky diving over the Swiss Alps! I donât know about you but I think that beats a rainy day on Mount Carmel sitting in the cafĂ© listening to Java John ramble on about nothing⊠I am traveling to Queensland, Australia this January and am most excited to partake in all Australian activities that arenât offered to me here in America. Things like snorkeling in the Great Barrier Reef, traveling to Fiji, and experiencing all the amazing Australian wildlife greatly swayed my decision (not to mention Iâm living right on the beach â SCORE!)
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3.Explore! Everything!Â
Junior public relations major, Heidi Nichols has big plans to travel to London with her boyfriend and fellow QU bobcat, Greg Moss. Heidi says she is most excited to simply do new things. âMy goal for studying abroad is to never have to say âoh, I wish I did that, or tried this.â This is the chance of a lifetime and Iâm going to make sure that I try every type of food, stare longingly at every piece of art, and take in as much of the English culture as possible,â says Heidi.
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Cons
1.Expenses
The Office of Multicultural and International Education on campus tries to help students as much as they can to make studying abroad affordable, but sometimes all their help isnât enough when you have to pay for a $2000 air ticket to Australia. Between paying extra for flights or your schools tuition, the amount of money owed can get pretty high up there. That isnât including spending money, and spend you will! Youâre in a different country; of course you want to buy as many souvenirs as possible to show off to everyone when you get home how amazing of a time you had. So if you are planning on studying abroad, start saving NOW! Be as frugal as possible the semester leading to your departure, or maybe pick up a few extra shifts at work, if studying abroad is something that you really want to do â the hard work will most definitely pay off.
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2. Homesick
We all know how it feels when you are somewhere and you would do anything, I mean anything to be in your bed snuggling with your dog and a good episode of Friends on the TV. Itâs only inevitable that while oversees youâre going to miss your family and friends. It will be hard to hear about all of your roommateâs crazy stories from May Weekend that you had to miss out on. You have to ask yourself which is more important to you; going to a different country or sticking around with the oneâs you love and who love you. Studying abroad isnât for everyone, and some people are just fine kickinâ it in good old Hamden for the semester, but those who have the bug to travel, be prepared to feel homesick, and Quinnipiac-sick for that matter. In times of great nostalgia, always remember what our good friends Skype, Facebook, and Twitter are here for! These means of communication will keep you connected with everyone from home, (not to mention make everyone super jealous when they see your amazing pictures on Facebook) so donât worry!
When making your final decision to travel abroad or not, take the above into consideration, and hopefully your choice will be much easier to make!
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Bon Voyage Bobcats!
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