This describes in full as to why I want to be an exchange student.
How do you know what a dream is if you've never accomplished one? How do you know what an adventure is if you've never taken part in one? How do you know what anguish is if you've never said goodbye to your family and friends with your eyes full of tears? How do you know what being desperate is, if you've never arrived in a place alone and can't understand a word of what everyone............else is saying? How do you know what diversity is if you've never lived under the same roof with people from all over the world? How do you know what tolerance is, if you've never had to get used to something different even if you didn’t like it? How do you know what autonomy is, if you've never had the chance to decide something by yourself? How do you know what it means to grow up, if you've never stopped being a child to start a new course? How do you know what it is to be helpless, if you've never wanted to hug someone and had a computer screen to prevent you from doing it. How do you know what distance is, if you've never, looking at a map, said “ I am so far away”? How do you know what a language is, if you've never had to learn one to make friends? How do you know what patriotism is, if you've never shouted “ I love my country” holding a flag in your hands? How do you know what the true reality is, if you've never had the chance to see a lot of them to make one? How do you know what an opportunity is, if you've never caught one? How do you know what pride is, if you've never experienced it for yourself and realized how much you have accomplished? How do you know what it is to seize the day, if you've never seen the time running by so fast? How do you know what a friend is, if the circumstances never showed you the true ones? How do you know what a family is, if you've never had one that supported you unconditionally? How do you know what borders are, if you've never crossed yours to see what's there on the other side? How do you know what imagination is, if you've never thought about the moment when you would go back home? How do you know the world, if you have never been an exchange student?
1. Travel/studying abroad is a life-altering experience!
See above :)
2. Learn about yourself and gain independence.
I'm truly excited to learn more about myself away from where I feel comfortable. In past experiences, I definitely grew in drastic ways because I was in an unfamiliar setting for a longer period of time. I want to become a more grounded individual with myself.
3. Gain perspective on your own country and culture.
If one steps outside one's borders to see the other side, one gains a new perspective. That experience that one gains breaks the barrier of ignorance. I'm excited to break barriers and gain a new perspective on my home country.
4. Learn a language in the country where it is spoken.
Yes, yes and YES! I believe that the only way one can become truly fluent is to live abroad in a country that speaks that certain language. I've studied Spanish in a classroom for six years and now I'm ready to really become fluent. One can only learn so much grammar in a classroom---you need to truly get out there to learn it if you want to utilize those language skills for the future!
5. Make connections that can last a lifetime.
This is a given. I hope this comes true when I go to Ecuador!
6. Resume builder.
True. With international study abroad experience under one's belt, one has a novel perspective. This is a benefit while applying to colleges as well as future jobs.
7. Experience hands-on learning.
As I said before, to truly become fluent in a language, I believe that one needs to experience full immersion instead of just having an hour a day in a classroom setting.
8. See the world (or at least a part of it).
Of course! I've heard many incredible things about Ecuador and I'm ready to actually live in the country.
9. International travel and study are fun and exciting!
This is also a given. I don't think I ever met someone that says they don't like to travel and see the world.
10. Programs work with any academic program.
While living in Ecuador, I will also be going to high school for one more year as a senior. I thought that that would be a better atmosphere to learn a new language instead of volunteering with Americans all year or being confused in a college setting.
