So, you want to travel the world?
Unless you were the kid afraid of sleepovers at age 13, the thought of going abroad has probably crossed your mind. Whether it’s study abroad, foreign exchange, Semester at Sea or simply taking a gap year, it is definitely something to consider.
Going abroad gives you a cultural sense of the world, while still giving you a chance to party hardy somewhere brand new. Here are some great options and suggestions if you want to be a naviGATOR (see what I did there?) of the world.
Study abroad is a great way to feel comfortable and safe with where you’re going. The program will have other students set up for you to go with in addition to pre-set accommodations. The great thing about study abroad is that a lot of majors do specific trips around the world. For example, the journalism school is currently recruiting for trip to England and Paris next year. The only downside of the comfort of doing a study abroad program is the funds. You’ll have to cover the costs of the program, which could be thousands of dollars at your expense. However, keep in mind that you are paying for accommodations and group activities along the way! If you’re thirsty for cultural knowledge, but deathly afraid of being the next Amanda Knox, this is the option for you.
Foreign exchange is hands down my favorite option. It’s simply switching places with someone abroad, so all you pay is your tuition at home (Holla Florida pre-paid!) and you’re off. Plane ticket, food, rent and whatever trouble you decide to get yourself into are going to make up the mass chunk of your expenses. This is also a much more independent route. You wont be going with a nice group of Gators to keep you in an Americanized bubble. You’re literally thrown into the culture. To some this could be scary, but to the adventure seekers this is the most exciting task you’ll ever encounter. You’re not completely alone though, because you will have someone at the host school that you can come to with any of your problems. And no need to worry, UF’s amazing study abroad services will find someone to switch with you. This is my favorite option; it’s cheaper, it’s independent and it is the perfect foreign adventure. So sublease that apartment and get out of the country for a few months…it’s time to see the world.
If you have that dream of voyaging to more than one country, but aren’t confident enough to tackle the European bus system on your own, try Semester at Sea! It’s like being in “The Suite Life of Zack and Cody on Deck” but better. Next fall’s trip starts in England and hits 14 countries including Cuba, Ghana and Ireland! My friend embarked on this voyage last semester and came back with a million stories to tell! If you want to be the king of #tbt for the rest of your life, take this trip. You’ll have pictures and experiences from all over the world and the ship offers classes that fit almost any major. Your classes will be taught from phenomenal professors from a variety of schools like Stanford and Harvard. You’ll also make amazing friendships through Semester at Sea, because who wouldn’t bond over being lost in Vietnam or China? The only downside is the finances and being at sea for four months, but if you don’t mind that then bon voyage.
Another great method of traveling is embarking on your own journey. No classes, no program, no responsibilities, just you and the world. Backpacking is an incredible journey that I suggest all students take. Whether you need a gap year before grad school or just some personal time, seeing the world at the peak of your youth is not something you want to miss out on. Plane tickets are an expense, but if you budget it right you can stay in hostels, couch surf, take cheap trains and split food with friends.
My suggestions:
As someone who has traveled extensively, I’d like to encourage you to go abroad. I won’t reiterate all of my travel stories, but my top two suggestions of amazing places to see are Bhutan and Paris.
Bhutan is arguably the happiest country in the world (it’s a little country below Nepal and above India). I traveled to Bhutan on a National Geographic photography tour and learned more about myself than I had in my previous 17 years. Bhutan’s cultural experience was like no other; the people were so content with little to nothing and their way of life forces you to re-evaluate your own. The food is incredible, the Buddhist culture is amazing and the people are super friendly. If you’re looking for a ‘find yourself’ type of voyage, Bhutan is your place.
Paris, however, is where my heart remains. Paris is the perfect city. If I was not planning on moving there, that would be my pick for study abroad. The food is out of this world (far superior to Italy in my opinion), the city is beautiful, the partying is insane and the people are friendly (mostly). I still dream about the chocolate croissants I ate on the Rue Cler every morning. If you’re not sold by food, like me, you will be once you see Paris lit up at night. The city has an old feel like Boston, but an elegant feel like “Madeline.” Do yourself a favor and enroll in French 101, because you haven’t lived until you’ve seen one of the greatest city in the world.
I leave you with these two suggestions, but there are so many beautiful places out there. Don’t be envious of your roommates’ map filled up with stars in her room. Create a map of your own. The world is waiting for you!
Photo courtesy of: LiveLingua
