6 Reasons why studying abroad is worth the investment

I never thought I had an opportunity to study abroad until I found a program called the American Degree Transfer Program in Sunway University. My experience seemed pretty surreal but I hope you're encouraged to go out there and explore the world once the pandemic is over! You're young, bold and still learning! So go out there and have fun! Hope you enjoy the read!

1. You get to meet people from different cultures! I got to meet friends from different walks of life and from around the world. I got to know those who have been living in smaller towns than Eau Claire, friends who preferred very stale food than something more palatable, and friends who are super friendly in comparison to how many other people perceive/portray them in media! It was a huge culture shock to discover that American midwesterners were kind enough to approach international students and made them feel so much at home!

Have you also heard of the Hmong Americans? They are a prevalent Asian ethnic group in the Midwest! When I first discovered the community, my first impression was that they were International students or Asian Americans who descended from Asian countries such as Vietnam or the Philippines. Hmong Americans are actually descendants of Laotian refugees during the Vietnam war. See, there's so much to learn from a new culture! Native Americans are also honored and celebrated in the Midwest as well, so it's good to use the university resources to learn more about their culture and dark history when the European voyagers first found America.

First giant snowman with the Govs fam

2. You get to travel around the country better! On a budget? Befriend someone on campus who lives in another state or around the area so they can show you around! When you've tightened your bond with them, they might invite you over to their place during festive events! Or perhaps get a car and grab a bunch of friends to split the costs of gas and accommodation and go on a road trip! Anxious about needing to go through tedious visa processing and approvals at the airport? Don't fret because once that's all done back home, traveling around the country to a different state is really swift and easy. Just get your accommodation set and be sure to arrange transportation early for your new adventure!

You'll also have resources available for immersion trips to other States/countries during the semester break. To name a few that my university offers are the Civil Rights Pilgrimage and a Trip to Mall of America in Minnesota! Make use of your time and invest in these things because they may offer student discounts or make it open for students only and not for alumni or recent graduates.

First Christmas abroad with my best friends

3. Courses might be easier or challenging than back home! In Malaysia, 95% of our courses in our program consists of quizzes, exams, and a final exam. In the US, a good chunk of them only focuses on assigned presentations, research papers, or brief assignments with no finals at all. Depending on where you desire to study abroad, the university and your major can vary. Majors such as arts and humanities have an emphasis on research papers or what is known to some as "take-home-exams" while STEM majors and some business majors are exam/quiz heavy. I disliked exams, so it was nice to be able to take my time to complete my research papers on most of my courses as a Public Relations major along with my minor in Sociology.

4. You get to adapt to new environments better in the future! Wisconsin has very severe winters from late November to late March, but it made me more resilient to the harsh weather as the semester goes by. I like the cold, especially bedtime because I get to snuggle in my bed comfortably in my nice warm blanket. It also depends on what you want to see and what to expect of it too. My goal was to see snow for the very first time, and Wisconsin was an excellent choice to immerse in it!

Also, with the knowledge of various cultures and a variety of work experience, you get to feel more confident about yourself from all the challenges you faced when you studied abroad. You'll feel ready and willing to take more opportunities given to you as you're well equipped with your past experiences.

5. Opportunities might be better. I've been blessed to work with different organizations and the people that made work fun. I used to be part of an international non-profit called AIESEC, and I've learned a lot from them! I used to work as a Resident Assistant in one of the resident halls in the university, and it has been super rewarding!

Staying on campus was also one of the advantages that made my opportunities better than how it was at Sunway University. In Sunway, I had to rely on public transport (both trains and buses) that took away a lot of my time. The buses had their fixed schedules and the ability to participate in extra-curriculars and make new friends; in contrast to staying on-campus in Eau Claire, I was able to walk to my dorm and leave anytime when extra-curriculars usually gather in the evening.

6. You get to be independent

Sometimes we just want to be away from our nagging parents who are concerned for our safety and wellbeing and curfew can ruin our freedom! Studying abroad will give you ample time to gain that independence so you'll be well equipped for adulthood. You'll be hunting for jobs for that side income you wish to spend on a new phone, or explore uncharted places with a group of friends through midnight, the opportunities are endless! Though if you're still worried, don't fret, orientation will help out and make use of the campus resources because they'll benefit you in many ways so you won't feel all alone and stranded!