<p>I say do it. </p>
<p>Do it. Do it. Do it. </p>
<p>But...don't study abroad to a cookie cutter program. Don't go to London for a cultural immersion when you have the chance to study in somewhere in the Middle East. Don't participate in a language immersion program and only stick with your native language speaking group. Don't pay it safe. Do what you never considered. Go somewhere no one has heard about. Go somewhere you've never even heard about. </p>
<p>I just came back from the most mind blowing study abroad experience. I wouldn't trade it for a month spent in Florence for anything. </p>
<p>Why don’t you share about it, then?</p>
<p>Niquii77, my 16-year-old daughter is having a similar experience in Spain. She just WON a 5k race! There were kids from four schools running in it. Part of it was on the beach. She got a trophy and a t-shirt.</p>
<p>She said there seem to be two distinct groups of kids that study abroad. She’s in the group that genuinely want to be immersed in the culture and language, and learn what a foreign school is like. The other group wants to party and has no interest in speaking the language. One exchange student at her school was asked to leave! He didn’t attend classes very often and was obnoxious.</p>
<p>I agree with you - after seeing how much my daughter has grown this semester, I think it’s a wonderful experience for any student! </p>
<p>@Niqui, I agree that foreign experiences are wonderfully formative. </p>
<p>No, no. This post is more to encourage people to go…to give that added push in the tug-o-war of shouldI stay or should I go.</p>
<p>@MaineLonngorn Congrats to your daughter. I can only imagine the increase of fluency she will gain from her stay in Spain. I was only in Spanish speaking countries for three weeks. My group made a promise that we would make an added effort to speak in Spanish. By the end of the three weeks, I comprehended auditory Spanish much better and I was less self-conscious about speaking. I can only imagine the leaps and gains I would’ve made if I was around Spanish as long as your daughter is. </p>
<p>@alcibiade They are extremely formative! My perspective has changed drastically. I view interactions differently. I view dynamics differently. I’ve grown to appreciate the privileges that the US offers. Truly eye-opening. :)</p>
<p>Congrats on studying abroad .</p>
<p>I don’t think time in London is less valuable than other experience, so I don’t think the OP should put down the choices that others make. If one wants to study British history or theater or farming techniques, then it may be a better choice than the middle east - for that student. Some people are more adventurous than others. London may be out of that student’s comfort zone so he IS pushing himself. </p>
<p>All experiences can be beneficial.</p>
<p>Well, of course if you’re studying British history you wouldn’t go to the Middle East. 
The emphasis is to push yourself and to not pick the safe alternative. Don’t play it safe. Test your boundaries. </p>
<p>When it comes down to it…just go. </p>
<p>A couple of my group mates were talking during our last days of our trip and the consensus among the older people was that they wish they’d had started traveling earlier. </p>
<p>There are many, MANY opportunities for students to travel abroad. Most likely than not, a student can get their school, outside organization, or donor to help pay for them to go abroad. Take advantage. It will be worth it. </p>
<p>My son is making the leap! He just graduated from high school and will be in Glasgow Scotland for 3 years. He’ll graduate with a BA. He had acceptances from schools here in the states, but the lure of studying overseas (…and especially in an English speaking country…) was just too good to pass up. Right now is working like crazy to earn as much money as he possible can so he can travel while there. As a parent, there are many things I’m nervous about, but on the flip-side, I’m SO very excited for this life-changing experience he’ll have. </p>
<p>Be warned that Glasgow isn’t exclusively English speaking. There is English, Gaelic (which he almost certainly won’t really encounter), and Scots, which is very closely related to English but many Americans in particular can have a hard time understanding.</p>
<p>I would love to study abroad during high school but I might not be able too. Even if you do say that, it will involve a lot of family and trust issue because of some stupid reason they have. By the way, I’m asian and that happens to be the first generation in the family.</p>
<p>How do you find opportunities to study abroad</p>
<p>Tigerman333 you can find lots of opportunities by choosing if you really want to study abroad. For example, if I want to go, I will have to earn the money and cover my missing classes.</p>
<p>Hi Tigerman333
Are you currently enrolled at a university? If so, visit their study abroad office! That’s the best place to start. If your university does not have a study abroad office, talk to your advisor about studying abroad for your major and if they can recommend any programs. Before doing a general online search- I would start there. </p>