Perks of skipping abroad

By Katie Powers

Now that all my friends from abroad are back, it's been a constant exchange of questions about fall. "How was abroad?" "Were you here in the fall?"

To which I proudly respond, "Yes."

That's right, I am one of the what-felt-like-few juniors who was around fall quarter. We are basically a minority, if you consider that just about half of our class went abroad.

You may be wondering, why didn't I study abroad? Why didn't I take that fabulous, perhaps once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to live somewhere else?

Well, there are a variety of reasons, the first being I wasn't really sure where I wanted to go. If I was going to go through the effort of traveling, I wanted to make sure it was somewhere special. Other reasons include the hassle of finding housing for junior year, the cost of travel, and, being from Nebraska, my already lengthy travel to get to school here. None of these reasons included that I am uninterested or unwilling to travel and gain new cultural perspectives.

As someone who chose not to go abroad, I frequently feel this school and those who went abroad in the fall put pressure on people to study abroad. It stems from encouragement, but at times it gives the impression that not going makes you less culturally aware or sensitive.

For instance, about half of the time when I am asked if I was abroad in the fall and say no, the inquirer looks confused and asks why not. This could be out of a desire for a good experience for all, but often it has felt like a judgment. Believe me, I don't need to travel halfway around the world to realize that this school is a bubble.

I write to all hesitant freshmen and sophomores: Do not feel pressured to study in another country at the usual time, for whatever reason. There are other times and opportunities to travel abroad.

First off, don't think fall quarter of junior year is the last, or only, time in your life you can go abroad. The school offers summer programs, you can take a long trip, get a grant or even live in another country at some point.

There are also some perks to being here. You don't have to worry about subleasing your house, which is a pain and a half. You will be saving money on traveling and programs that are more expensive than school-sponsored ones. You won't have to worry about transferring credits, and you have the opportunity to get involved in a position on campus that requires you to be here the whole year.

So when people seem to frown at you for not going abroad, don't feel demoralized; you'll get your chance. And just remember: You only have four years to live on a college campus. I'm already lamenting the coming end of that freedom.