Last night, I was getting together last minute information for my parents regarding my upcoming trip to London. (31 days and counting!) I’ve been planning this semester abroad since November and it is finally right around the corner. It’s just now sinking into my skin, my veins, my soul that I am living in (not merely visiting) another country for my entire semester.

Many of my friends have studied abroad (Italy, Ireland, Spain, Australia) or are planning their semesters abroad right now. While I know many people simply cannot study outside this country (due to conflictions with their majors) I must completely encourage anybody who can, to do this. Personally, I am fascinated with culture, but beyond that, this opportunity provides us with a wealth of experience, responsibilities and life changing events. What better way to understand the world we read about in our classes than to actually see it, breathe it, feel it, hear it?

I know, it’s a huge step to take but I can’t imagine it not being satisfying. When are you going to have the opportunity to live in another country for 3-5 months? Take this time; do this for yourself. For those who might be too intimiated to live in another country, there are opportunites to spend the semester as another university/college within the United States. For those who have too demanding semester schedules, there are summer opportunites to study in another country.

As young, powerful and influential women, this experience will only hand us more stories to tell, more lessons to learn, more knowledge to spread and more ideas to share.