Posted on Friday, March 9th, 2012 at 10:07 am

With international travel becoming more convenient students that want to study abroad are making their dream become a reality. In the 2009/2010 academic year there were 270,604 US students that studied abroad for academic credit. This was a 3.9 percent increase from the previous year according to the Open Doors report. Although the number of individuals studying abroad is on the incline, there are many who still wonder why study abroad.

Why study abroad? There are many reasons why students choose to study abroad. The most common is for the cultural experience. Studying abroad gives individuals a more in-depth look at a culture and what it’s like to live everyday life in a different society. Although visiting a country while on vacation can be very informative, many times the time restraints and tourist traps put a strain on the cultural education. Studying abroad gives individuals time to get settled, learn where the locals go and check things out for themselves.

Another reason why studying abroad is an appealing option for many students is because of its potential for future benefits. Studying abroad can be an eye-opening, growing experience. Individuals that have overcome the obstacles that accompany living in a country other than their own can use the same skills acquired to problem solve during their study abroad experience, in work place. Although acting out the game of charades to find the nearest restroom might specifically not help you at your future job, learning how to be creative and inventive in everyday life can be good practice for the office.

If you are still wondering “why study abroad” and you have always wanted to learn another language, this is your opportunity! Being around individuals who don’t speak the same language as you will require you to find a way to communicate. More than likely this will result in you picking up a few common words or phrases to get by, and then snowball from there.

If you decide to study abroad you will want to make sure you have International Student Health Insurance while you are away. Call one of our licensed agents and they can assist you in purchasing a plan that fits your needs.

Posted by Bryanna Davis

Bryanna joined International Student Insurance in 2011 after returning to the United States from teaching English in China. Her interest in international education, sparked initially by her own study abroad experience in Wales, led her to the company. Bryanna is originally from Missouri and is a graduate from the University of Central Missouri.