| Studying abroad was one of the best decisions I | | | | importantly, you will grow! You will see this country |
| made during my college years. I spent the winter | | | | through your own distinct lens while contributing your |
| term of my senior year in South Africa and Lesotho | | | | personal, academic, and cultural diversity to this |
| (another country in Africa that is landlocked within | | | | amazing experience. This may be the only time in |
| South Africa). There is no type of text book learning | | | | your life that you can immerse yourself fully in a |
| that can come close to the learning you acquire | | | | foreign lifestyle while participating in fun activities for |
| through travel and hands-on experience. The world is | | | | such an extended period of time. |
| huge. There is so much more outside your country's | | | | Many students are concerned about the cost of |
| borders. Your school may have a year, semester, | | | | studying abroad, but sometimes it's less expensive |
| summer term, winter term, or even a week abroad. | | | | than a semester at your current college or university. |
| Take advantage of at least one of these | | | | Financial aid can usually be transferred to the program |
| opportunities. | | | | and many scholarships are also available. I paid for |
| I chose South Africa because I was inspired by | | | | study abroad using two external scholarships I |
| Nelson Mandela's plight for freedom. After listening to | | | | received. This covered the tuition, plane ticket, |
| his lecture at my university three years prior, the | | | | housing accommodations, some meals, excursions, |
| love he had for his country was contagious. If you | | | | and transportation. |
| study abroad, choose a country that has a history, | | | | Safety can also be a concern for some students, but |
| culture, and people that interest you. | | | | you are with other students and experienced faculty |
| The entire time in Lesotho and South Africa I was | | | | and staff who are there to lead and supervise the |
| thinking, "Why in the world didn't I study abroad | | | | group. The only time you may be in danger is if you |
| every year?" No matter what your major is, you can | | | | are going out alone at night. This is a bad move. This |
| find a course that is applicable to either your major | | | | is a whole new culture and things that are acceptable |
| or your general interest. The course in South Africa | | | | in one country may be unacceptable in others. In |
| was called "Exploring World Issues: South Africa and | | | | terms of your physical health, I received shots |
| Lesotho." We spent the majority of our | | | | before my departure and was cautious of certain |
| twenty-two-day program in Lesotho. There are no | | | | foods I ate while there. I always drank bottled or |
| words to describe the beautiful landscape and | | | | boiled water and ate cooked food. |
| warmness of the people. And I earned three credits | | | | Once your interest in studying abroad is peaked be |
| for a life-changing experience! | | | | sure to visit your study abroad office so that you |
| While abroad, we examined the post-apartheid | | | | know the appropriate deadlines for applications and |
| access to many of South Africa's major resources | | | | scholarships. |
| and its effects on Lesotho, including the economy, | | | | I don't know who said it first, but one of my favorite |
| education, politics, health, and culture. We visited the | | | | quotes is "Life is not about the breaths that we take |
| University of Lesotho for a day. We stayed with | | | | but the moments that take our breath away." This |
| host families that treated us as if we were members | | | | will definitely be an eye-opening experience. Who |
| of their own family. We volunteered at a home for | | | | knew the world was so big? |
| disabled youth. We painted the most magnificent | | | | Remember: |
| mural to brighten the lives of those disadvantaged | | | | - There is no type of textbook learning that can |
| children that were all wheelchair-bound. We saw the | | | | come close to the learning you acquire through travel |
| king's home, rode on ponies, fed chickens, played | | | | and hands-on experience. |
| soccer with local children, danced with a nun, stayed | | | | - Your school may have a year, semester, summer |
| in huts in the mountains, swam in a natural river, saw | | | | term, winter term, or even a week abroad. Take |
| dinosaur footprints, and climbed to the top of | | | | advantage of at least one of these opportunities. |
| mountains. My favorite moment in the day was | | | | - If you study abroad, choose a country that has a |
| coming home and having a conversation with my | | | | history, culture, and people that interest you. |
| host mother about various world issues and gaining a | | | | - You may get a little homesick, but you'll be back in |
| new perspective on things. We sure can live in a | | | | your home country in no time. |
| bubble! | | | | - If you are studying a foreign language, this is a |
| There is a chance you may get a little homesick, but | | | | great opportunity to get real practical experience. |
| you'll be back in your home country in no time. Learn | | | | - Studying abroad does not necessarily cost a great |
| to be friends with your trip mates. That can make | | | | deal of money. |
| the trip so much more fun. Also, if you are studying | | | | - Studying abroad is safe. |
| a foreign language, this is a great opportunity to get | | | | - Once your interest in studying abroad is peaked, be |
| real practical experience putting that language to use. | | | | sure to visit your study abroad office so that you |
| You will meet new and interesting people, explore a | | | | know the appropriate deadlines for applications and |
| whole new city and way of life, and most | | | | scholarships. |