When most people imagine studying abroad, they probably envision sipping wine in the south of France or eating pasta in Italy. Surely no one’s first thought is Kyrgyzstan, a small post-Soviet state on the western border of China. I often wondered whether I was making the right decision by giving up the traditional study abroad experience for something a little different. I’m now four months into my studies in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan, and I can’t imagine being anywhere else. Though studying abroad in less popular locations isn’t for the faint of heart, here’s four reasons why it was one of the best decisions I could have made:
Scholarship Opportunities
Studying abroad can be really expensive. On top of program costs, which usually include tuition and housing, a final budget includes food, airplane tickets, healthcare, phone plans, and all the other costs associated with moving to the other side of the planet. There are many incredible scholarship opportunities available, especially for countries that speak critical languages or areas of the world looking to expand their tourism and academic prestige. I was awarded $25,000 to study the Russian language in Kyrgyzstan through a Boren Award. This scholarship funds up to a year of study almost anywhere in the world in exchange for learning a critical language.
Ballin on a Budget
Traveling to a country with a low cost of living is another way to make a scholarship or personal budget stretch further. A low cost of living means that necessities like food and housing will cost, on average, much less than many parts of the United States. The low prices in Kyrgyzstan have allowed me to experience a life I never could have afforded elsewhere. I eat out almost every day, and treat myself to salmon with caviar for less than $10. A night out looks a lot more appealing when cocktails are less than $3 and the taxi home is only $2.
Learn a New Language
English is one of the most widely spoken languages in the world. I’ll admit, I used to get a little spoiled and go on vacations assuming that the people I met would be able to communicate with me. By studying somewhere that is out of the comfort zone of most Americans, I’ve had to improve my foreign language skills in order to communicate on a daily basis. If you’ve only been studying in a university setting for a couple of years, your conversational skills will develop so much faster when you can’t rely on English to order dinner or buy groceries.
Unique Experiences
This is your chance to go on adventures that everyone back home can only dream of. I’ve gone horse trekking through the Tian-Shen mountains, been bungee jumping in a canyon, and drank fermented camel’s milk in a bazaar. You can try authentic foods without falling victim to overpriced restaurants or tourist traps. People of countries that are less traveled to are often thrilled to share their culture and natural landscapes. Locals can show you the local nightlife and even act as language partners. Oftentimes, organizations may be looking for native English speakers to organize English speaking clubs for locals. This is a great way to connect with locals and to exchange your culture with your new home.