How Study Abroad Changes Your Perspective PDF

**How Study Abroad Changes Your Perspective** Studying abroad can be a transformative experience that profoundly impacts your perspective on life, culture, and the rest of the world. Being in a new environment will force you out of your comfort zone. As your cultural understanding grows and you int...

**How Study Abroad Changes Your Perspective** Studying abroad can be a transformative experience that profoundly impacts your perspective on life, culture, and the rest of the world. Being in a new environment will force you out of your comfort zone. As your cultural understanding grows and you interact with people from diverse backgrounds, you will develop empathy, tolerance, and respect for other cultures. Furthermore, you'll get to know yourself on a deeper level as you become more aware of your personal prejudices and biases. By connecting with people of diverse cultures and listening to their stories, you will learn that people worldwide share more in common than you may have thought. **7 Things I Learned on Exchange That Prepared Me for College** There's a misconception that being an exchange student in high school gets in the way of your college preparation. Having spent my senior year in the mountains of Quito, Ecuador, I'm here to tell you that it does quite the opposite! Here are seven of the incredibly valuable lessons I learned that helped me prosper in college. 1\. Expect the unexpected! Things rarely go according to plan. One thing I'll tell you is this: [rolling with the punches] often makes for the best memories! Whether through unexpected friendships, or unplanned adventures, my most unique memories overseas surpassed anything I had hoped or planned. Embrace the unanticipated! 2\. Say yes to new adventures! During my time in Ecuador, my days varied from wandering the city's public markets to sipping coffee at home with my host mom. Whether late night runs to Waffle House, or spontaneous study breaks to go sledding, exchange taught me to embrace the unfamiliar, a lesson that made college life more fulfilling. 3\. Create opportunities! Volunteering in an Ecuadorian orphanage for the first time taught me the power of seeking out new experiences. As I tutored the resident children and built friendships with other student volunteers, I learned the value of venturing into the unknown. Sometimes, stepping into the unfamiliar not only creates memories, but it can be the very best way to inspire personal growth. 4\. Not better or worse, just different! We all grow up with our own views of "normal," but the truth is this: everyone has a different expectation of what normal looks like. From how you do laundry, to what time you eat dinner, the routine is often what sets your lifestyle apart from your peers. Moving to a new city in college proves extremely contrasting to the life of a teenager at home with his family. I had the tools in my belt to remind myself, "not better or worse, just different," and encourage my peers along the way. 5\. Learn to laugh at yourself! Exchange wouldn't be complete without embarrassing stories of accidentally eating pig liver, or the hilarious humiliation of confusing \"embarazada\" (pregnant) with \"avergonzada\" (embarrassed). Mistakes come naturally to most of us, especially in an unfamiliar country and culture. This ability to make fun of your own mistakes has made life more enjoyable. 6\. Embrace the moment! With constant access to social media, there is a temptation to compare our lives to the highlights we see. However, life is made up of little moments that can provide just as much joy if we open our eyes. Living abroad taught me to savor everyday moments---like walking to the tienda for groceries or spending time with family. Learning to appreciate the waves of life is a skill that requires practice and proves beneficial in every season of life. Living in a new country and culture offers the perfect opportunity to do just that! 7\. Progress is not linear! What I learned for myself was this: positive experiences are not free from challenges. As an exchange student, my days struggling with homesickness were just as influential as those spent practicing my Spanish with classmates. Recognizing this is what allowed me to be patient with myself in making friends, and struggling with my mental health. Perhaps the most influential lesson that I learned through exchange is this: difficulty does not equal failure, rather, it is imperative to success. My experiences abroad shaped my college journey in ways I couldn't have imagined. I am beyond thankful for the growth I experienced through exchange, and I hope you will consider taking advantage of this amazing opportunity! By [[Elisa Owens]](https://blog.icesusa.org/author/elisa-owens) [[https://blog.icesusa.org/how-study-abroad-changes-your-perspective]](https://blog.icesusa.org/how-study-abroad-changes-your-perspective) **read** [[https://blog.icesusa.org/7-things-i-learned-on-exchange-that-prepared-me-for-college]](https://blog.icesusa.org/7-things-i-learned-on-exchange-that-prepared-me-for-college)