Top five reasons you should study abroad
Photography by Guyanne Sinon
Guyanne Sinon talks about her recent study abroad at the National University of Singapore, giving her top five reasons why you should consider applying for the adventure of a lifetime.
The thought of going on a study abroad can sound like a daunting prospect at first. A whole year away from your friends and family, more money spent towards your degree and a never-ending list of things to organise...only a few of the most common reasons why students decide to ‘just leave it’ and not apply. I, on the other hand, decided to take the leap, and having just returned from my study abroad, I can look back on it and tell you that it was one of the best decisions of my life. Need more convincing? Then look no further: here are the top five reasons why you should take the leap too.
1. You make so many new friends
Being in a new country and at a new university, you have the chance to meet people you normally wouldn’t have crossed paths with. You’ll start up friendships with local students who can show you the sights, teach you about their culture and get you involved in activities at the university. During my time at the National University of Singapore, I made friends with lots of Singaporean students, who showed me around campus and, most importantly, took me to all of the best food spots in town. Let’s just say I remembered where to eat better than where to find my class.
I also made friends with other exchange students through student-led uni events. As you are all embarking on the same journey, you bond together easily. Three weeks into my study abroad, and I was already heading off for a weekend trip to Phuket with my new-found friends. By the time we returned, we had shared everything from hostel rooms to car journeys, from make-up to memories. You get to enjoy an entire network of friends from across the globe; helping you explore parts of the world, and parts of yourself, that you had never discovered before.
2. You learn a new way of life
Living in a new country is a completely different experience to simply going somewhere on holiday: you have the chance to immerse yourself in a brand new way of life. From having a blast during Chinese New Year festivities, to tasting the renowned (and utterly delicious) chilli crab dish, I always had a list of new experiences waiting for me to try out. Different countries have very different customs and lifestyles, which you can learn about and adopt, helping you to strengthen your adaptability skills. If you’re interested in reading up about a particular place you’re thinking of visiting, you can do so here. No matter where you go, it’s inevitable that you’ll find yourself, slowly but surely, falling more and more in love with the city you’re in.
Photography by Guyanne Sinon
3. You become a jet-setter
Studying abroad opens up a whole new set of travelling opportunities, with your chosen country acting as a gateway to other destinations around the region. As a student you have more time to travel than you would if you were working full-time, making studying abroad a prime opportunity to go on a fun road-trip across the country, or a long-weekend in a neighbouring city.
Living in Singapore, I was able to explore much of South East Asia: I spent my birthday in Vietnam, my reading week in Cambodia, and my weekends in Malaysia. Not even the Kardashians can top that. I visited places I had never even heard of, tried foods I had never tasted, and took part in activities I didn’t even know existed. From museums to markets, beaches to bars, there is always so much to discover!
Before you travel anywhere, be sure to check the Foreign and Commonwealth Office’s travel advice, where you can find information on entry requirements, health & safety, as well as local laws and customs. I would also recommend following @FCOTravel on Twitter for up-to-date travel announcements.
4. You learn the art of adult-ing
Going on a study abroad really pushed me outside of my comfort zone. Having been used to always having my family around and someone to rely on if something went wrong, going to Singapore made me get my act together. Just doing simple things like booking my own flights, sorting out visas, opening a bank account, and navigating transport routes all made me feel like I’d achieved the art of adult-ing. It also helped me gain a lot of confidence in myself, by testing my capabilities and encouraging me to take charge of my own life.
5. You boost your CV
Having returned from my year abroad and begun the (tedious) process of applying for graduate jobs, I cannot stress enough how great a study abroad looks on your CV. Attending a new university allows you to take different modules you might not have come across at UCL, thus allowing you to significantly broaden your knowledge. You can also get involved in sporting clubs and societies during your study abroad, which you might not have gotten involved in here in London. Plus, it always gives me something great to talk about in interviews!
Photography by Guyanne Sinon
I don’t think I will ever have another year filled with as much excitement, fun, opportunity, and chilli crab as I did in my study abroad. If you are still making a pros and cons list, I’m about to make your decision a lot easier for you: crumple up that piece of paper and just do it!
Applications for studying abroad at UCL close on the 18th of November, 4pm UK time.