20 Inspiring Study Abroad Quotes

Attending college in any location, even online, comes with its fair share of unique experiences and life-changing knowledge. To further enhance the college experience, some students choose to study abroad. For those who are considering doing so or are currently in the process, here are some inspiring study abroad quotes to expand your mind and pump up the excitement.

Studying abroad means that you go to a foreign country to study and count those credits towards earning your degree. This is a program that is offered by most universities so that their students can glean experience and new cultural perspectives while pursuing their degree. For universities that are online, you can essentially study abroad anywhere you want!

There are many benefits of studying abroad, which include:

• Increase potential jobs
• Expand your network
• Learn a new language
• Understand a new culture
• Make lifelong friends
• Travel and adventure
• Heightened grad school/job applications

All the while, you will be taking classes to continue working towards your goal, but you will be in a new environment to fully experience something so unique.

Source: Unsplash

Something New: Cultural Exchange

When you move abroad, you are no doubt going to live in a new culture and environment. Regardless of how different the foreign location is to where you are from, you will learn new cultural norms and how the society functions. It is also likely that a new language will be spoken, which means you have every more reason to pick up on speaking it!

• “Nobody can discover the world for somebody else. Only when we discover it for ourselves does it become common ground and a common bond and we cease to be alone.” – Wendell Berry
• “Studying abroad is about experiencing a foreign country — and the most beautiful, important part of a country’s culture is its people.” – Alexander Kolker
• “Cross-cultural learning and studying abroad can be transformative.” – Amal Clooney
• “One’s destination is never a place, but a new way of seeing things.” ― Henry Miller
• “Study abroad is the single most effective way of changing the way we view the world.” – Chantal Mitchell
• “It’s a big world out there, it would be a shame not to experience it.” – Jo Andrews
• “Not all classrooms have four walls.” – Unknown
• “Simple exchanges can break walls down between us, for when people come together and speak to one another and share a common experience, then their common humanity is revealed.“ – Barack Obama

Something True: Overcoming Hardship

Moving and establishing yourself in a new country is a challenge in itself. You learn to be self-reliant because your support network is likely far away. While you are getting used to how things work, including the medical system, grocery shopping, transportation, and the like, you will face hardships and moments of frustration. It’s easy to get discouraged in such times, but instead, it is best to adopt an adventurous mindset and see everything as an experience.

• “We know that it’s not enough for us to simply encourage more people to study abroad. We also need to make sure that they can actually afford it.” – Michelle Obama
• “To travel is worth any cost or sacrifice.” – Elizabeth Gilbert
• “I am not the same having seen the moon shine on the other side of the world.” – Mary Anne Radmacher
• “A ship in a harbour is safe, but that is not what ships are built for.” – John A. Shedd

Something You Need: Motivation

You may be thinking you’re not cut out to go abroad and study. Whether you have these feelings because you’re scared you’ll be alone or won’t understand the language or know how to get around, etc., you should know that you can do it!

Not only will your university provide you with necessary assistance and be available to answer all your questions, but there will also be people you will meet along the way that will be very willing to help you with whatever you may need. It is in such times where you can form the strongest and most telling bonds.

• “It always seems impossible until it’s done.” – Nelson Mandela
• “What we learn with pleasure we never forget.” – Alfred Mercier
• “Nothing Adventured, Nothing Attained.” – Peter McWilliams
• “And then I realized adventure was the best way to learn.” – Anonymous
• “Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things you didn’t do than by the ones you did do.” – Mark Twain
• “Life begins at the end of your comfort zone.” – Neale Donald Walsch
• “Take only memories, leave only footprints.” – Chief Seattle
• “Life is either a daring adventure or nothing at all.” – Helen Keller

Something to Do: Traveling

Another huge benefit of studying abroad is that you will afford the opportunity to travel. Naturally, you’ll be experiencing somewhere new. And, since it’s part of studying, you will still be productive during the time.

Depending on where you choose to study abroad, it is likely that you’ll be able to travel around the area on weekends and holidays. Traveling is an incredible way to learn more about people and the world through your experiences and conversations.

• “Once a year, go someplace you’ve never been before.” – Dalai Lama
• “Travel is never a matter of money, but of courage.” – Paolo Coelho
• “The world is a book, and those who do not travel read only one page.” – Saint Augustine
• “Blessed are the curious for they shall have adventures.” – Lovelle Drachman

Source: Unsplash

The Takeaway for Taking Off

Studying abroad will open your door to exciting opportunities. You can choose to do so through a traditional campus program, or, if you want even more flexibility, you can consider studying abroad while attending an online university.

For example, say you want to earn your degree in Computer Science, Health Science, Business Administration or Education. You can enroll in University of the People and study from anywhere in the world. All you need to do is apply and make sure you have a reliable internet connection for which you can access courses and course material. The good news is that the programs are tuition-free, which means that your funds can rather be allocated towards living expenses and traveling!

Wherever you decide to study abroad and in whatever type of program you are enrolled, there is no doubt that you will have an experience of a lifetime. You will personally, professionally and academically grow in ways you may not even have ever imagined, and all the while, you’ll be exploring a different culture from your own while earning your degree! It’s a win-win-win.