In America, the number of students studying abroad is notably increasing at a slower rate compared to other countries, according to statistics provided by the Institute of International Education. As millennials, our generation is quite different from our parents and most other generations.

We aren’t the generation that strives for the American Dream with the idea of a successful career, perfect marriage and two and a half kids. We are not shackled down to the American Dream or tradition yet we still care about the future of America.

Our generation cares much more about the authenticity, experiences and happiness found in life. We support movements like Beating 50 Percent, Feminism, the Tiny House Movement and Black Lives Matter. Our generation is apart of a bigger picture that revolves around improving the quality of life for everyone.

One of the best ways to see the whole picture is experiencing a place or culture beyond America and ourselves: it’s the world. Studying abroad opens the eyes of students’ lives by submerging them into an educational setting in another culture and country.

CMU offers a variety of opportunities for studying abroad through multiple programs all around the world. The study abroad programs offered are National Student Exchange Plan A, National Student Exchange Plan B, EuroLearn, AustraLearn, AsiaLearn and International Student Exchange Program (ISEP).

ISEP is one of the more common studying abroad

programs because of where and what it offers for students. It is an exchange program that is developed in more than 50 countries. It is “a non-profit educational community dedicated to helping students overcome the financial and academic barriers to study abroad.”

Studying abroad has so many preconceived notions and stereotypes. It is too expensive. It is unsafe. It would set you behind in school. It is not important. Whatever barrier is in-between you and studying abroad then consider a student’s personal story and experience.

Johanna Black studied abroad in Kalmar, Sweden through the partnership of CMU and ISEP.

She said, “Studying abroad is a once in a lifetime experience that shapes the rest of your life. I believe studying abroad is extremely important. It’s a great way to gain perspective on the world and to experience different cultures and their way of life.”

Black further said her time studying abroad, “along with being so close to so many amazing places to travel, what I loved most about living abroad was the opportunity to study and work with people of all nationalities.”

“While I was living in Sweden I had the opportunity to live, work, and socialize with people from several different cultures,” Black said. “It was amazing to be part of such a close community that was incredibly diverse. We shared our lives with each other and it became even more apparent how alike we all are despite how different our cultures may seem.”

Cost is almost always important to college students and parents. Even though studying abroad does provide

a high price tag it definitely brings more to the table than just debt. CMU’s partnership with exchange programs, like ISEP, allows students to pay CMU tuition while studying abroad. CMU scholarships and federal financial aid (FASFA) are still applicable to use.

Black said “Financially it can be hard but there are resources available such as scholarships and grants. It’s more than worth the cost. The benefits educationally, socially, and emotionally outweigh the financial cost,” Black said.

Whatever your setback is, I hope you find time to examine the pros and cons of studying abroad. Take time to sit down with an advisor to discuss the option to study abroad. Find a financial aid counselor to help you create a plan to save and pay off your time abroad. Be ready to expand your horizons and gain a new perspective.