Stepping out into the world through a study abroad program with John Cabot University can be scary. It often means venturing out of your comfort zone and fully embracing the unknown... but that is what makes it so rewarding! A summer or semester study abroad experience is something you will carry with you for the rest of your life.
Here are 5 things you learn when you study abroad:
1. How to be more independent
Leaving the comfort of your home university and heading out into an unknown part of the world takes courage. It requires motivation, strength, and independence. Even if you feel pretty good about going out on your own, you will have no choice but to adapt to an even more independent lifestyle when you study abroad. You will learn to live by yourself, adapt to the customs of a new country, travel the globe, and more... all without the help of your friends and family.
2. The importance of culture and tradition
When you study abroad, one of the very first things you will notice is the different culture of your host country. You will quickly become aware of the various customs, nuances, and social norms that are new to you. But by the time your semester is over you will have adapted, learning just how important it is to acclimate to your host country. When you study abroad at John Cabot University, not only will you be learning the customs and traditions of Italy, but you will be learning all about the many cultures of your international student body. Your classmates will be from all over the world, and you will be exposed to different religions, foods, political views, heritages, and more.
3. A new language
When you study abroad, you will be surrounded by a foreign language. The people you pass on the street, your local shopkeepers, baristas, and even some of your professors will have a native language that is different than yours. Spending time with locals means you will steadily start to pick up the language. And as you pick up the language, you will pick up the local customs and habits. At John Cabot, it is a great idea to take an Italian class if you have the chance. Learning Italian (or another language) is a great skill to take home with you, to use after graduation and beyond.
4. To cultivate new friendships
The friendships you make when you study abroad will last a lifetime. Whether you bond with some students from your home university or other universities across the United States, or connect with some of the Italian or international degree-seeking students, you will surely learn the value and importance of friendship. When you are overseas, you often grow close quickly to those around you who are sharing this meaningful experience with you. You will travel together, comfort one another when you get homesick, and support each other throughout every adventure. At John Cabot, you will not only learn the importance of friendship, but you will learn how to develop an international friendship, and how to connect on a deeper level.
5. To take calculated risks
When you think about it, studying abroad is a risk in the first place. You are going off to a foreign country with people you don't know to study at a new university, surrounded by a language you don't understand. But as you settle into your adventurous study abroad lifestyle, you will learn to take even more risks. You will take a trip to a city or country you've always wanted to see. You will sign up for classes and events you normally wouldn't have back at your home university. You will make friends who are very different than your friends back home. You will learn to let go of what you can't control, go with the flow, and welcome new and unexpected adventures with open arms.
