I recently returned from studying abroad in Thessaloniki, Greece. I have always dreamed of traveling the world, and a huge reason I chose Wichita State University was because of their opportunities abroad.

Studying abroad was so impactful that I plan to move my entire life to Europe after graduating this spring. I fell in love with the European lifestyle and have never been happier somewhere. All European countries are extremely different from one another, so my next step is to find the best option for me.

With that being said, here are just a few reasons why you should consider studying abroad. Regardless of if you plan to ever move or work outside of the United States, there are so many benefits to taking part in a study abroad program in college.

The world is so much bigger than your home

I have lived in the same house for 22 years. My neighborhood is a middle-class suburban town with the “big city” just a 45-minute drive down the road. The same grocery stores, gas stations and food chains from my childhood.

Most people go on to live a perfectly content life in their bubble without ever questioning leaving, because why fix something that isn’t broken? I could have easily stayed in my bubble, but I chose adventure.

Studying abroad allows you to not only escape the community you have grown up with, but also the life you have developed.

Now that I think of it, maybe “escape” isn’t the right word. For some, studying abroad is an escape from their reality, in which they will return soon enough, and for others, it is just the first step in the journey of a lifetime.

Leaving the comfort of your hometown/state/country pushes you to learn about the world and confront how massive it truly is — not only the actual physical size, but the infinite amount of opportunities, cultures and experiences outside of what you have always known.

Education — in and out of the classroom

As important as school is, I have learned more outside of the classroom than I ever have in a course, and studying abroad is no different.

The conversations I had with peers from different cultural backgrounds transcended my expectations and taught me more than any curriculum could have.

I have learned more about different health care systems, political systems, social networks, countries’ values, languages and more. I have been able to have revelations with other international students after comparing the different ways of life.

For example, did you know that the United States has far less paid time off (PTO) and maternity/paternity leave than most European countries? Or did you know that there is a bigger emphasis on working 40+ hours a week and making money in the United States than in Greece? I’ve learned about this and so much more outside of class.

As a senior at Wichita State, I can honestly say I prefer the European way of learning in college. While Wichita State focused on doing coursework outside the classroom, the Greek college I attended, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, focused on working in the classroom.

Lifelong connections

I could not be more thankful for the people I met while living in Greece and while traveling to surrounding countries.

Leaving your family and friends back home to live in a completely different part of the world can be terrifying, but you are not alone. No matter how alone you may feel, there are thousands of other students feeling the exact same way. The study abroad community is immensely supportive.

When you are thrown into an unfamiliar environment it can be easy to hide and become homesick, but as soon as you reach out and get to know those in your surrounding community, a whole new world appears. I have met some of the sweetest and most interesting people outside of the U.S.

My closest friends include students from France, Poland, Germany, Portugal, Greece, the Netherlands, Switzerland, Italy and the list goes on and on.

I have no doubt that although the study abroad experience does not last forever, the relationships I made along the way will be forever. No matter where I end up in the world, I know that through the help of social media and modern technology, my new friends and I will be able to keep up with one another, and hopefully, one day meet again.

Personal growth

When you leave what you know and dive into the unfamiliar and uncomfortable, you discover so much about yourself.

The experience pushes you past the things you thought were “problems” and teaches you to be independent.

You learn how to do daily life in an unfamiliar environment entirely on your own. You meet others along your path, but at the end of the day, it is your journey alone. Struggles with homesickness and loneliness force you to confront yourself and what is truly important to you.

It gives you time to analyze what you want in your future and how you may get there one day.

It took time alone for me to discover that I wasn’t lonely, I was just happily lost in a new and unfamiliar adventure.

While abroad I got a tattoo on my left arm to remind me of the this chapter in my life. It reads Ευτυχισμένα χαμένη (ef-tee-hees-men-ah ha-meh-ni), which means happily lost.

Future opportunities

Growing up, I didn’t learn much about life outside of my home country. I have always had a strong desire to travel but never thought about truly living anywhere different because why would I?

I know plenty of international friends who have loved their abroad experience, but still want to go back and live and work in their home country, but I also know of some with different plans. I’ve made the decision to only apply for jobs in Europe.

The choice to move was not easy, but after learning about different governmental structures, health care opportunities and human rights protections in countries other than my own, I know it is the right move for me.

I highly encourage you to do your own research on living away from what you’ve always known.

Even if you want to come back home eventually, there are still so many connections to make and knowledge to gain from studying abroad. If you would like to see more of my adventures abroad in Greece, or my future travels, you can check out my travel blog, travel instagram, and YouTube!