DU is known for having high involvement in various study abroad programs throughout the world. However, there are some students who let nerves, or even more unfortunately, bad academic or student conduct standing impede them from being a part of this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. Going abroad for many students is a chance to take easier classes, let loose and party constantly. Going abroad is much more important. The lessons and personal growth that can be gained from being immersed for several months in a different country are unattainable without going abroad.
A lot of students may be discouraged by the financial aspect of going abroad, but DU’s Cherrington Global Scholars program makes going abroad easy and affordable. This program offers unique benefits like having round-trip international airfare and student visa application fees paid for by the university, and so much more. These benefits alone can save you thousands of dollars. Also, for many of the programs the student pays the same tuition as they would at DU, as opposed to paying a different fee at the university they are going to attend. The primary qualifications for getting this scholarship are having a minimum of a 3.0 GPA and being in good academic and student conduct standing at DU. It is truly a shame to let something like being on probation hinder a student from going abroad. No amount of drinking or smoking in the dorms can be worth sacrificing having the time of your life abroad. Students considering going abroad should put excessive partying to a halt. Don’t let probation be a possibility and make your grades a priority.
Living abroad makes you realize that there are other cultures in the world besides your own. Learning about these cultures is fascinating and you might even like many aspects of them more than your own. For example, delicious food like jamón ibérico or the relaxing siesta (which is a brief period in the day where people leave work to casually drink or take a nap) are aspects of the Spanish culture that the U.S. should heavily consider adopting.
Living abroad can be nerve-wracking and stressful at times, but these challenges make us more mature and better-prepared to take on the world after college. Don’t let nerves get in the way of an amazing opportunity to live in the destination of your dreams. And above all, don’t let stupidity and excessive partying be the reason that you missed out on going abroad. For more information about studying abroad, head to du.edu/abroad.
Andy is a senior Marketing major, English minor from Simsbury, Connecticut who studied abroad in Sevilla, Spain in 2014.
