Why You should Study Abroad while in High School
If anyone asks me why I went to study abroad while I was in high school, the answer will be simple. I always want to do something different and love to take challenge. Study abroad high school summer programs allowed me to meet with new people from different culture. I learned a lot about their lifestyle, education system and traveled the country along with new people. Many people think that study abroad programs are suitable for College or University students but it’s wrong, you should choose summer programs for high school students if you have the desire to expand your horizons and want to see what life is like outside of your hometown. There are number of benefits you will get when you choose to study abroad and that’s the topic of our article and, of course, I will share my experience with you too. Here are top 5 benefits that you will receive from studying abroad.
1. Experience Different Culture:
We all know travel broadens our mind. But traveling and living in foreign country will expose you to new cultures which is much more than just surface differences. High school study abroad program allows you to get the taste of new incredible foods, customs, traditions, and social atmospheres. As I lived with host family it was easy for me to learn about their culture and I think cultural difference is the best part of my study abroad. I ate chopsticks in every meal and China makes 45 billion chopsticks per year. I experienced slow internet and no access to Google, Facebook but used through vpn to communicate with my family. Adapting to new culture takes some time so if you do some research before coming it will help you a lot. I talked with my seniors who visited there last year and also did research via internet before going. The ability to adjust with new culture allows me to navigate new situations with a full of confidence.
2.New Knowledge and Skills:
Study abroad is a great opportunity to learn new skills and knowledge. The most common of these is improved language skills. There is no better way to learn second language as you will be surrounded by native people and you will learn effectively as you are young and open minded at that age. My Chinese language (Mandarin) has been improved a lot by talking with classmates, professor, native peoples and doing classes in Mandarin. You will get the opportunity to interact with people from different country which will increase your communication skills. When you are exposed in new environment the ability to plan and organize time will be automatically improved. You will face many challenges that require creative solution when you are out of your comfort zone.3. Become More Independent:
Through study abroad program you will have the opportunity to shape your life in new ways. You will develop crucial skills and personal development which will help you in the long run to stand out from average. You will be exposed to different condition out of your comfort zone which will make you think what you are really capable of. You will learn how to cope with situation that you never faced in your life. After visiting to china my self-confidence has been increased a lot. 4. Find New Interests:
Studying abroad will help you to find new interests that you had no idea before. You may find interesting things to try because you will do some exploring, or you will speak with local community, or you will be struck by something in class. No matter what comes your way, I recommend you to give it a try before moving to the next thing? And who knows? The rest of your life may be influenced by that interest. I liked mountain bike in the Tiger Leaping Gorge in Yunnan and I think it turns into a hobby as I do cycling regularly now though there is no mountain here. One of my friends took many photographs of historic places in china such as Terracotta Army, Forbidden City, rare pandas and now he wants to be photographer. If we did not go to study aboard we might not discover our hidden talent and interest. Many people often realize that they have chosen wrong subject during graduation which they have no interest and I think if they went for study abroad program at high school their story would be different than today.
5. Strengthen Your Resume and Carrier Opportunities:
Study abroad while you are in high school is a great thing that you can include on your CV. It indicates you have high desire to get new experience and challenge. It also indicates you are open-minded, adventurous, and able to meet with new people in different condition. All companies now want to make an impact on a worldwide scale so who have experience of living and working in another country are likely to stand out over those who just stayed home. After finishing the program you will return with a new view on culture, language skills, a great education, and a willingness to learn which will play huge role in your future carrier.Study abroad during high school will give you the experiences that you will carry for the rest of your lives. There are so many incredible experiences to be had, places to visit, and people to meet with around the world. So why not get these awesome moments early? From my journey I gathered meaningful experiences that will carve my own path to the future of my dreams.