While we were
visiting Buchenwald a few weeks ago, I was talking to one of the professors/directors from another exchange program from Murray State University. Murray and Vanderbilt used to have some sort of partnership with their Regensburg programs. He's been working with the Murray program for ages now, and he was telling me how there used to be tons more full-year students from Vanderbilt -- whereas now, there has only been
ONE full-year student per year for the past 4+ years.
What it boils down to is that the one-semester program is the death of the full-year program, as he put it so well. Vanderbilt also has a Maymester in Germany (Berlin) program.... which, in turn, murders the one-semester program, and all but obliterates the full-year program.
What I just want to say is that if you are truly serious about stepping into the wider world and opening your eyes and experiencing what wonder earth's people and cultures really are, then you had better have a
VERY good reason not to study abroad for a full year.
I know and have always heard of people being apprehensive about studying abroad for "so long." You're afraid you'll miss the right home university courses. You're afraid you'll miss the social scene. You're afraid you'll miss friends too much. You don't want to be so far from your family for that long. You have no money. You are afraid that you need home, and you cannot part from it.
So here's what I think of that:
University courses --
SCREW THAT! Okay, I do know how heavily some of you
sacrifice your life, health and sanity for place emphasis on your classes and grades. That's fine, and indeed, some of you are pursuing
insane reputable careers that require much of you. However, if know that you can study abroad and are going to,
do the full year!
Social scene -- Give me a break... What your year would be if you stayed at home so you didn't miss all the frat parties is
nothing compared to the year you'll have abroad. Plus, other countries have tons of parties, believe me ;) .
Your friends and family -- If they love you, they will get over it. If you love them, you will get over it, too. Plus, in this modern age, there is Skype and cheaper phone cards and e-mail and everything. Staying in touch is virtually... not a problem at all.
(Your boy/girlfried) -- See above. If it's real, things will work out. Really, they will. If it doesn't work out, it wasn't meant to.
Money -- All I can say is that you have to work for it. I realize that this is often the biggest factor holding a lot of people back. But I am a strong believer of, If there's a Will, there's a Way. Nobody can stop you. I know you might be skeptical, but it is really true and I mean it. Also, in the end, I will guarantee that your full year will be worth it. Every little bit.
I don't even find my one year enough. (If you made me stay two years, I'd do it in a heartbeat!) There is always a way. You'll also be surprised how quickly one year actually goes by. It is nothing.
I know that it is unfortunately too late in college for many of you. But if any of you young'uns are out there reading this, and you are trying to decide on a study abroad program (or to study abroad at all!), you know exactly what I recommend! If you still aren't convinced, listen to this. When I was trying to decide between full- and half-year in Regensburg, every student I asked who had done the half-year before urged me to do the full-year. Nearly every one of them said that if they could have the choice to do it again, they would pick the full-year. Hands down. One of the most common phrases I heard was, "I only wish that I could have spent more time there." If you have the means, by all means, do it!
Now then! I'm going to make some breakfast.
(PS -- *ahem* Summer programs abroad are convenient excuses to have a holiday in another country and barely learn nothing but a scratch on the tip of the iceberg. *ahem*.)
