It's junior year, should I go abroad?
Issue date: 9/27/07 Section: Focus
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During the course of their junior year, many Muhlenberg students decide to study abroad and leave campus for a semester. As a Muhlenberg senior, I have many friends that left for a semester to see the world and travel to places they have never been. Most people that I talk to tell me that their study abroad was unbelievable and one of the most important things they have done with their lives- and I'm happy for them. I'm glad that my friends and others went to places they may not visit for the rest of their lives. I do believe that going abroad could be an educational and fun experience; however it's not for everyone.
As a person that has stayed at Muhlenberg for three straight years, I do not look back at my time here with any regret. As a sophomore, I chose not to join a fraternity, as a junior I chose not to study abroad, and as a senior I plan on not doing my homework. Just kidding. But seriously, studying abroad never appealed to me like it did others. I understand the concept and I'm not writing this article to bash those that chose to leave campus. Not at all. I just think it's important that people realize that there is life at Muhlenberg during junior year. Too many students here have raised their eyebrows and told me that they're sorry that I didn't go abroad. Stop! It was my choice to stay and I'm happy with my decision.
I must admit, staying here for all of my junior year was a bit different than the other years. My close social group of friends lost a few members as some of my buddies chose to go abroad. I even lost my roommate, after two years of a "happy marriage".
Because some of the friends in my social group left, the ones that didn't became closer. We were around each other more and got to know and share more college experiences together. Having fewer friends around campus for a semester, I chose to branch out and make new acquaintances that I may not have done if the study abroad program didn't exist. Once the abroad students came back - our social network of friends was even stronger with the new friends I had made, while the study abroad students were gone.
As a person that has stayed at Muhlenberg for three straight years, I do not look back at my time here with any regret. As a sophomore, I chose not to join a fraternity, as a junior I chose not to study abroad, and as a senior I plan on not doing my homework. Just kidding. But seriously, studying abroad never appealed to me like it did others. I understand the concept and I'm not writing this article to bash those that chose to leave campus. Not at all. I just think it's important that people realize that there is life at Muhlenberg during junior year. Too many students here have raised their eyebrows and told me that they're sorry that I didn't go abroad. Stop! It was my choice to stay and I'm happy with my decision.
I must admit, staying here for all of my junior year was a bit different than the other years. My close social group of friends lost a few members as some of my buddies chose to go abroad. I even lost my roommate, after two years of a "happy marriage".
Because some of the friends in my social group left, the ones that didn't became closer. We were around each other more and got to know and share more college experiences together. Having fewer friends around campus for a semester, I chose to branch out and make new acquaintances that I may not have done if the study abroad program didn't exist. Once the abroad students came back - our social network of friends was even stronger with the new friends I had made, while the study abroad students were gone.