All of us here at AFS could go on for hours and hours about how studying abroad is a life-changing, awesomely exciting, must-have experience...but this time around, we'd rather hear from you! What makes you want to study abroad? Is it because, you want to improve your language skills, make new international buddies, work to increase peace and understanding?? Click below to post a comment telling us why and see what students like you have to say.
DATE: August 6, 2008 10:56 AM
i love meeting new people!! i love hearing their stories and just getting to know them. people from other cultures are just so much fun to talk with! it is fun to learn a differnt way of life.
DATE: July 27, 2008 10:25 PM
Oh, wow, there are SO many reasons I want to go abroad. The main ones? I want to have an adventure! I want to experience things I would never have the chance to experience otherwise! I want to make friends abroad, and I want to become more open to the world. I want to become more fearless. I want to experience a totally different type of life in a different school, different country, and with a different family. I want to learn new cultures and traditions and travel to a place I've never been before- and become a local, not a tourist. I want to gain real-life experience outside of "the bubble" (as my town is sometimes referred to). I want to become fluent in another language. And I want to have the best year of my life!
DATE: July 20, 2008 1:06 PM
I've never been to Africa. I also feel like I would be more comfortable around people the same colour of skin as mine. It would be exciting to live in another culture instead of just visiting it.
DATE: July 18, 2008 2:12 PM
I would love to study abroad in Spain and learn about its culture. Ive been to the Caribbean islands before for about 2 months for vacation but while i was there i learned that the people there have a really awsome culture. So want to get to learn about another culture and improve on my Spanish speaking skills, so i think that Spain would be an awsome place for me to study abroad.
DATE: July 18, 2008 1:21 AM
I have been abroad with AFS and all I can say, as cliche as it sounds, it totally change my life! Looking back I would definitly do it all over again, if possible for a longer stay than a school year only. I went to the States in 2004/2005 and just for some weeks ago my host family came for a visit, here in Norway! My AFS year did change me in all positive ways one can ever imagine and the internastional friendships I made back then are still as strong today as they were then! Both with my American friends and the otehr AFSers! For you who are travelling out there,anywhere in the world this fall, you'll have the time of your life!!Lene
DATE: July 17, 2008 5:17 AM
I want to live in another culture, completely immersed in something totally different, understand different types of people and a different way of living. & become fluent in the language, of course!
DATE: July 16, 2008 9:28 AM
I would like to study abroad not only to become fluent in both spanisha and french, but to learn about a new culture. In living immersed in a different culture my understanding and willingness to think not only by my own cultural standards but by a collective worldwide culture will increase. I want to be a world citizen, wholly unbiased and dedicated to a more peaceful now.
DATE: July 16, 2008 6:36 AM
I would like to study abroad because I want to experience the culture and ordianary life style of another country. It would be a great experience to help me persue learning the Spanish language and culture. Studying abroad would be something that I would always remember, it's an experience of a life time. :)
DATE: July 16, 2008 6:22 AM
i would like to go abroad as I get the chance to learn about another culture. Not only that, I can also learn new language when I am in another country, make new buddies and gain new experiences. I also wanted to share my own culture, which I am proud of it with everybody else. If I was chosen, this could be a chance for me to start a new life-changing experiences.
DATE: July 16, 2008 6:21 AM
i would like to go abroad as I get the chance to learn about another culture. Not only that, I can also learn new language when I am in another country, make new buddies and gain new experiences. I also wanted to share my own culture, which I am proud of it with everybody else. If I was chosen, this could be a chance for me to start a new life-changing experiences.
DATE: July 15, 2008 9:47 PM
i would like to study abroad to learn a new language,experience the culture,make new friends and learn many new things. ive traveled around the world soo manny times as a tourist so this is my chance to live somewhere out of the u.s.
DATE: July 15, 2008 7:35 PM
I want to do something new. I want to learn a new language and experience a new culture. I want to expand my horizens. I want to get adventure and see myself change; to come home with new ideas, veiws, and a new outlook on the world. I need to get out of my corner of the universe, get out there, and explore.
DATE: July 15, 2008 10:33 AM
I've grown tired of the hum drum of every day life.I want new experiences.In fact, learning more about other countries has fascinated me from a young age when my grandparents would tell stories about their travels. I was especially fascinated by their elephant foot stool. But elephants feet don't really have anything to do with Ireland, Japan, or Australia I guess... Haha
DATE: July 15, 2008 8:45 AM
It would be the greatest experience imaginable to be able to go to another society and see the differences in culture and education. There, I would learn so much more than just what's being taught in the classroom, I would learn about the history of the country and be able to see that there is so much more to the world than just what's in the U.S.
DATE: July 15, 2008 6:48 AM
My dream is to study abroad because I love people. i'm interested in the cultures of the world. I want to see how people live and become part of their world. My family has hosted 4 students ,and i want to understand how they felt coming into a new inviroment. I feel like going abroad would give me great oppertunities to learn many new things i would never learn by not studying abroad.
DATE: July 15, 2008 5:23 AM
I can't WAIT to study abroad because it's a totally different experience. I live in a sheltered town and I want to get out and truly see the world. I love to travel and see different places. Going to Italy will also allow me to learn a new and beautiful language. It will let me become a part of a different culture but also to see my culture from a different point of view. People often ask me "why do you want to leave your family for a year?" Although I will be not with my family here for a year i will build a very special bond with the people in Italy and gain a new family. I will get to meet people from around the world. I also want to use my exchange as a stepping stone fora career in international business. Doing an exchange will hopefully help me become more independent and confident.
DATE: July 15, 2008 5:05 AM
Studying Abroad is an opportunity that will let me have a great education and to learn the culture of other country..and it will be the biggest adventure I'll ever had..
DATE: July 14, 2008 10:15 PM
I want to study abroad because id like to learn about the culture where my parents are from =] id like to become fluent in italian and im in love with everything about it.
DATE: July 14, 2008 9:00 PM
I want to be different from everyone around me. I love change and learning new things. The people of Australia seem like wonderful happy people, and everyone loves being around happy people!
DATE: July 14, 2008 7:07 PM
I would love to go to Japan and learn Japanese. I think it would be an amazing experience to go to another country and be introduced to a culture I have never experienced before. I believe that it would be a good learning experience to see another country and open my eyes to other places
DATE: July 14, 2008 6:51 PM
Who doesn't want to go abroad? AFS gurantees that your trip will CHANGE your life. I think we all need to have a life-changing expierence somewhere along the road.I've been fortunate enough to be able to travel, both as a tourist and a member of a mission team. Any place varies with its own unique gift. Everywhere you go there's something to learn. Maybe there's something that you want to GET OUT of this, or something that you want to GIVE to this. Either way, your help is greatly appreciated. I think it's time for all of us to fulfill God's plan for our lives.
DATE: July 14, 2008 5:47 PM
I really want to experience the culture firsthand - I believe it'll be a much better experience rather than seeing it on Tv or in a picture. It's a dream to go to Spain and further my Spanish speaking skills. I don't need a year; even a summer would change my life.
DATE: July 14, 2008 5:38 PM
I would love to go abroad to get to met my many friends in japbecome fluent in japanese! I love the contry and i have done every posible thing aout thie conutry but i haven't gone there...
DATE: July 14, 2008 5:02 PM
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DATE: July 14, 2008 5:01 PM
i would love to study abroad to really learn about another culture. I've been alot of places, but only as a tourist. I've lived in the same place for all my life and i want to know what its like to live somewhere else. I dont only want to know what the culture is like, i want to learn what other people are like in diffrent places.
DATE: July 14, 2008 12:16 PM
I would LOVE to go abroad to learn and become fluent in Spanish fist hand. Not just the stuff they teach you in school, but the real thing. Also, the people in South America seem like wonderful people with a wonderful culture. I would love to be apart of that for a while.
DATE: July 14, 2008 12:00 PM
My life is absolutely normal I plan on stimulating it.