So, I’ve been dreaming about SA for around 10 years now, and I know without a shadow of a doubt that I want to go someday. I just made some really good friends at school, my only really good friends in this town, and I really don’t want to leave them. Here’s the main problem: I have already made plans to study abroad this September for the academic year, I’ve been accepted to the programs and everything, but I found out that all of my friends (seriously all of them) will be transferring to different schools the year I get back, so when I get back, they’ll be gone. I’m considering putting off study abroad for this reason, and studying abroad when my friends transfer schools. Is this a bad idea?
If that’s what you want to do and you don’t mind delaying your plans for another year (and risking your chances), do it. I personally would go this September. I love my friends, but I wouldn’t let them hold me back like that. You’ll undoubtedly make friends when you study abroad as well.
Will you have to reapply to the SA next year ? Is it competitive ? Wouldn’t it make you look a bit unreliable/unprofessionnal to cancel now for this reason (or can you give an other “official” reason) ? I don’t live in the US so I’m not familiar with the system… If you think canceling won’t hurt your chances for SA next year, do what makes you comfortable. If you’re not sure it would be possible next year then I would go, since you seem to really want it and SA is an amazing opportunity for students that it would be a shame imo to pass on for friends.
Go. You’ve dreamed about it for 10 years… and if you’re friends, you’ll invite them to visit you, you’ll create new ones, new memories to share. If it’s a real friendship, studying abroad won’t change that.
It’s your business, but I think choosing to stay (the easy way) instead of following your dreams (risk, openness, discovery) could set the pattern for the rest of your life.
Thank you everyone! These are all really good, helpful answers. I’m definitely going to go in September!
I hope it is as much as adventure for you as it was for me - changed my life, indeed set a pattern for me as I’ve lived in 5 countries! Good luck.
You will meet so many new people from all over you will expand your friendships even to other study abroad students here in the US that you can stay connected to.
What you are verbalizing is similar to when to take your first job. You get close to people because you see them everyday and work with them but if you leave that job or they leave, only true friends will remain your friends. Those are the people you can not see for years and when you see them, it feels just the same as when you saw them all the time. You are too young to have developed those friendships but you will and they may come from your study abroad experience friends. Good luck. Have a great time!