Studying Abroad: Really worth it?

What's all the craze with studying abroad nowadays? Honestly, I would do it if I were taking a language where I could go to a more sought after location instead of China where there is the lovely smog. When you can go to a place like Germany or Spain, I'm sure it is very desirable.

More people are trying to do it because there can be cheaper rates as well as being able to go to a foreign land with some of your friends as opposed to going with your family. You also get the benefit of going somewhere that you can exercise your language with fluent speakers. This can help you a lot in class, especially if you are going to take the AP version of that language at any point.

Are there perks of going other than studying your language? Definitely! You can see the sites of an unfamiliar land as well as go places that are unavailable to you in your own town, or even country. You can see the different styles, note different laws, you can enjoy being on vacation with people you enjoy being around, you can also have fun meeting and living with new people to see the different kinds of lifestyles there are. There aren't many downsides!

Note how I said there aren't many. That does not mean that they are non existent. There is always that little annoying thing called being home sick. No one really enjoys it, but I suppose it has to happen eventually. There is also the fact that yes, you do still have school work you have to do. There is a chaperon, so it is not like you just get to do what you please. There are obviously rules based upon who your teacher is that is there with you. Another downside some parents may see: laws are different in different countries! If the teacher that is with your child is lenient, there may be laws there that are different from ours that you may not want your child to participate in. The legal drinking age being one of them.

All in all studying abroad is rather beneficial and certainly has more upsides than down. You can do so much with a language after you have been somewhere that it is practiced fluently. Your strength will become bigger and your weaknesses will become less. As long as you can trust yourself, or your student, and you can deal with the minor side affects, it is most certainly worth a shot!

再见！
~Hangin' from a clothesline