During your college years, there may be an opportunity for you to travel or study abroad. Colleges and Universities typically offer programs in which students can study for a semester (or quarter) overseas during their college careers. If you have an opportunity to take advantage of any of these programs, take great consideration; the experience you will get from interacting with another culture, city and life overseas will last a lifetime.
While it might be hard to be away from your home for a semester, taking time to travel overseas when you can as a college student is worthwhile. When you enter the working world, it may not be as easy to go overseas right away due to work schedules, paying off student loans and other factors that may prohibit you from taking extended time off. Taking time to travel as a college student before you enter the working world will give you that experience before you graduate and provide you with an opportunity to experience another culture and group of people. If the opportunity is there, greatly consider taking advantage of the chance presented.
As a senior in college, I had the opportunity to travel to Vienna, Austria and Budapest, Hungary and experiencing the culture and history both cities had to offer was one of the best moments of my college career. Being able to take time to enjoy the art museums, the historical places, the unique cafes and restaurants and different cultural events (St. Nicholas Day occurred while I was over there as was the anniversary of Mozart's death) are experiences I will always remember and was grateful to experience. Walking the Ringstrasse in Vienna, visiting the cafes, seeing Stephansdom, experiencing the Vienna Opera and seeing the Danube River in Budapest at night are all experiences and several others that were breathtaking and some of the most memorable memories I have during my college years. By taking advantage of the opportunity presented, I had a chance to experience the culture and history of two great European cities and will carry that with me for a long time.
In addition to experiencing the culture and history of both Vienna and Budapest, making friendships over was a worthwhile and memorable experience as well. I managed to become friends with two Hungarian students and one Viennese student over there and continue those friendships to this day. With the use of e-mail, I have managed to keep in touch with all three of these people and it's great having these friendships.
One of the most unique experiences I've had with these friendships is a phone call I received from one of the Hungarian students on New Year's Eve. I was driving home from work and saw the phone number was really long and as it turns out, it was my friend I had met in Budapest a year earlier calling me to wish me a Happy New Year's! We chatted for what seemed like an eternity and I never would have had that awesome surprise if I did not go over there in the first place or continue to develop that friendship.
If you are presented to travel overseas as a college student, take great consideration in taking advantage of the opportunity. Experiencing another culture, group of people and cultural events is an experience that lasts a lifetime and will add more substance and great memories to your college career.
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