“Why do you go away? So that you can come back. So that you can see the place you came from with new eyes and extra colors. And the people there see you differently, too. Coming back to where you started is not the same as never leaving.” ― Terry Pratchett
Studying at John Cabot University is an incredible experience. Coming from a study abroad-turned-transfer student myself, trust me! One of the most interesting parts of JCU’s atmosphere is the blend of location and population; we host top professors from all over the world and our student body represents more than 70 countries. We come together in the heart of the Eternal City and create an irreplaceable environment for your experience abroad.
- Leave Your Comfort Zone
When you choose to earn your degree overseas or study abroad, you choose to place yourself in a vulnerable situation: a new country, a new language, and new people. When you’re boarding the plane, waving goodbye to your family, you’re excited, scared, and while your mind is racing you most likely have no idea what to expect. This is the best decision you could ever make. Traveling abroad is a great adventure but the best part about studying abroad is that it gives you a VIP ticket into an established community in a foreign land. A group of people waiting to accept you into this pocket of a society formed just for students like you.
- Open Your Mind
In this new place, people are not what you’re used to; they speak differently, dress differently, and there are no familiar places or faces. But you are here, living your life in this new society, so you will inevitably learn how it works. The dos and don’ts that come from observing and absorbing a new culture. You will pick up some of the quirks of this new place and adopt them into your daily routine. The beautiful part of this is when you learn to appreciate the culture for what it is, you see and understand how and why it works.
- Alter Your Standard for Happiness
Your experience abroad will be filled with countless memories: travels to other foreign countries, nights exploring your host city with new friends, and possibly even embarrassing translation errors (these produce hilarious stories, I promise!). The bottom line is that you will experience an exponential number of moments in which your heart is bursting with happiness when you’re overtaken by laughter or excitement, and once that happens your standard for happiness will never be the same. You will become addicted to this side of adventure in life, the enjoyment taken from exploring and discovering what the world has to offer.
- Become More Independent
Nothing says independence like 4,000+ miles of distance from home. Living on your own at university in your home country is exciting, but your family is never too far away- a phone call, a car ride, or a quick text. Granted, technology does let you keep in touch almost as much from abroad, but a time difference of 6 or more hours will have an impact on your dependence towards your family and that’s OK! It all pushes you towards becoming more independent and that’s a great thing.
- Boost Your Confidence
Imagine walking into a restaurant in a foreign country and ordering your meal perfectly in the native language- talk about an instant boost of confidence. The opportunities to display your capabilities, to surprise your family, friends, and most importantly yourself are endless when you grab the opportunity to earn your degree abroad. Immersing yourself in a new culture teaches you to be confident, to be proud of who you are and what you have to offer - it’s an indescribable feeling.
- Create a Network of International Friends
When your host school has a student population that represents more than 70 countries, you’re bound to make some pretty cool friends! Meeting people from across the globe and making personal connections with them is an experience that cannot be matched. You learn about these people and their cultures, you form connections and lasting friendships. Not to mention, it's a great excuse to travel the world visiting your friends' home countries with them!
“We leave something of ourselves behind when we leave a place, we stay there, even though we go away. And there are things in us that we can find again only by going back there.” ― Pascal Mercier
Shelby Leigh Bradley
Marketing Major, Italian Studies Minor
JCU Class of 2016
Hometown: Clinton, New York, USA
