Studying Abroad For Future Inspirations

Teenagers nowadays are trying to find short cuts or quick ways to get over with their academic programs in high school. A lot of them seem to have no idea what they are about to do next; they just want to be done with school so they can enjoy their time. However, they do not realize the fact that their education is actually a major part of their life and finding their careers. Many teenagers tend to be clueless about their future and do not know their true talents or identities. It happens because teenagers love to try new things and go with the flow of their friends; they are confused with what they are really good at or interested in. When one has to be alone for a long time, he or she would have enough time to be able to identify his or her true identity; studying abroad is the solution. It is very difficult to see the whole picture for the new faces in other countries because they could not solve their problems on their own. This phenomenon usually occurs with the closed family culture. So, going overseas leads teenagers to improve their solving skills when they encounter obstacles. The more difficulties they faced, the more they are able to handle in any situation. A French novelist, Marcel Proust, once stated that, “The only real voyage of discovery consists not in seeking new landscapes but in having new eyes.” Seeing the new side of the world brings juveniles to discover their new attitudes about the real life. More over, since different countries have different cultures, the contrasts are very prominent. From one idea about a country, it is increased to hundreds and from the contradiction, it gives adolescents reasons why they should respect and be proud of their homelands. (Marcel Proust Quotes, http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/authors/m/marcel_proust.html). As many youth now a day has more interests in learning foreign language, their effort of becoming fluent in their second or third language is very high. There are a lot of influences on media and the cyber world; teenagers are pulled into new interests. However, lacking of proper learning technique, novices are unable to have a proper communications with the language natives. Interacting with other speakers in the studying language is essential for boosting real-world comprehension and practical usage of that language. Being in the language’s native land would force students to speak regularly and it increases their proficiency in that language. (Hamel, http://www.ehow.com/list_6374218_ways-improve-english-proficiency.html). Going overseas alone to live in dormitories or with host families does require a high self-confidence. Of course that many young adults don’t have their highest level of confidence yet or even their maturity. Being capable of taking responsibilities on his or her own is the first step in becoming an adult. No one in this world would want to stay immature their whole life and being unable to do things on their own, in their own ways. On a survey done by the International Education of Students (IES) institute, 96% of students studied abroad increased their self-confidence and 97% have increased maturity. This shows that to take an adventure in other countries alone does increase personal developments. (Dwyer and Peters, http://www.transitionsabroad.com/publications/magazine/0403/ benefits_study_abroad.shtml). Finding the new experiences in abroad is the main objective for discovering his or her real abilities. A large number of teenagers do not know who they really are and what their true talents are. Learning and seeing something new could make them find their real interests. “For the first time, they (study abroad students) were able to perceive their personal skills and strengths accurately. The international experiences served as a catalyst, inspiring them to embark on learning and careers that they never would have dreamed possible had they not spent an extended time outside their own country." – Joy Gleason Carew, Associate Director of the International Center at University of Louisville. Adolescents are able to identify their strengths and talents during their time abroad better because of the freedom they received to do anything they wanted. Everything would lead them into seeking the right career that they would possess to in the future. Their personalities, their talents and their true strengths give them the right occupation for them which will best suits them. No one can really find any other ways to earn money or live a life without having their profession resulting from their experiences. (Studying abroad, http://studyabroad.isp.msu.edu/people/studentsofcolor/). Along the benefits teenagers would receive from going overseas, there are obstructions, as the cost for some family, is unaffordable. Traveling for long hours by airplanes and payments for dormitories and pocket money in a long period of time across countries is not cheap at all. Though it is really a great opportunity to grab, but many are incapable of finding that large amount of money. This is the reason why associations, universities, and other education programs provide scholarships to give discounts or even covering the whole cost for students who could not pay the whole cost. Some institution even gives students their pocket money, taking all the responsibilities for students’ financial aids. The biggest issue that many are aware of is the language, as stated above; it can be improve best while communicating with the natives. Although students should at least prepare ahead, studying the basics of the language and the daily conversations that they might come across. Doing a lot of reading and writing would also help while there are texts to be read or written while in process of applying for scholarships or while traveling. Taking the bigger opportunity to improve one’s proficiency in foreign language is better than learning alone and not knowing the diversity of the use in just educations and the real life. Most teenagers who try to take a short cut through their high school years, it is never easy for them to find a job when they don’t even know themselves. Since education and personality is a major part in people’s life and in finding their careers, they should take the opportunity to seek for their true selves and get improvements in other ways through new experiences that they will receive. When one has to be alone for a long time, he or she would have enough time to be able to identify his or her true identity; studying abroad is the solution. Going overseas is not just for academic purposes but also for a person to find and enhance his or her talents and identity.

Works Cited

"Marcel Proust Quotes." Famous Quotes and Quotations at BrainyQuote. 2010. Web. 05 Oct. 2010.
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"Information for Multicultural Students." Office of Study Abroad | Michigan State University. Web. 06 Oct. 2010.
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Hamel, Gregory. "Ways to Improve English Proficiency | EHow.com." EHow | How To Do Just About Everything! | How To Videos & Articles. 23 Apr. 2010. Web. 06 Oct. 2010.
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Dwyer, Mary M., and Courtney K. Peters. "The Benefits of Study Abroad." Portal for Work Abroad, Study Abroad, Cultural Travel and Living Overseas. Web. 07 Oct. 2010. .