Managing Yourself

Remember when you were young and your mom would leave you at a friend's house with the warning, "Now behave..." When she dropped you off at college, she probably didn't have to say that because by now, we've all learned how to behave.

Good behavior has become slightly more complex over the years, although sharing your toys and not hitting are still good guidelines. However, a disturbing trend has been developing in study abroad in past years, where students go abroad and assume that "Now behave..." has for some reason ceased to apply to them. Sadly, they are wrong.

Study Abroad... An Unparalleled Opportunity

If you've begun to contemplate studying abroad, no doubt you've started talking to people who have spent time as students abroad. They will tell you what an eye-opening, amazing experience they had. They will tell you about the unparalleled opportunities that studying abroad provides to widen your perspective and expand your horizons.

They may not tell you that your time abroad is also an unparalleled opportunity to make an impression on the rest of the world. When I refer to making an impression, however, I do not assume that the impression will be positive. Each year a saddening number of students go abroad only to enforce the world's stereotype of the "ugly Americans". Not exactly the type of opportunity we'd all like to take advantage of!

Am I Saying You Can't Have Fun?

If your definition of fun consists of going to a foreign country so you can see how many exotic places you can get drunk and be loud and obnoxious (hopefully without getting thrown in prison)... then YES! No "fun" for you!

If you're looking for a vacation, go on one. Don't study abroad.

If you're looking to drink, go to a bar. Don't study abroad.

Now it may seem counterproductive for someone who's promoting studying abroad to tell people not to go. But if you think the experience of studying abroad is some big excuse for a happening party, then no one needs or wants your company.

Am I Saying It's Not All About You?

Once again... Yes! As Americans, we're accustomed to advertising and a culture that says it's all about us. We're told as long as we're happy and having fun, the end justifies the means. This is not true, but many of us have never stopped to analyze our ingrained assumptions.

Studying abroad may well knock you around until you realize that it's not all about you. Most of the rest of the world already has a much better grasp of that concept than Americans. You'll save yourself endless frustration if you realize this truth before stepping on a plane.

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