“No one realizes how beautiful it is to travel until he comes home and rests his head on his old, familiar pillow.” - Lin Yutang

Dr. Chunsheng Zhang and some students came to talk to us about studying abroad.

I'm just like:

It's what I want to do. What I've always wanted to to. That's why I'm learning all these languages. STUDYING ABROAD. Just, ughhhh. I really, really love traveling. To get school credit for going to different places? That right there sounds mighty appealin'.

Not only is it an honor to have the opportunity to study abroad, like Dr. Z said, but it gives travelers an understanding of what is outside of home... our comfort zone. (Seriously, all those "exotic" foods and animals that don't even exist for us here in Florence, Alabama... like fried Guinea pigs...) But hey, don't knock it 'till you try it.

Obviously, one requirement for studying abroad is to know the language of your host country, at least enough to get around. (Dr. Z broke out the Americans-only-know-one-language gag on us.) Knowing about the country itself would help, too. In return for an amazing experience in a different nation, you gain foreign experience that will certainly be relative to your job one day. In fact, employers don't necessarily look at your resumé closely, but where you have been.

Think about it this way: when do you not hear about what's happening in China, or Egypt or any other foreign country? If you pay attention to the news at all, chances are slim. Travel abroad also gives you a sense of a different culture and experience in treating others in a culturally sensitive way. (For instance, I'm not going to go to Japan and make sick faces at their squid-wrapped-in-seaweed sushi,

just like I'm not going to go make fun of Italians' noses.) This "cultural way" of dealing with people teaches all to appreciate not only other-worldly ways of life, but our own as well. You learn a little about you on the way, too. =]

I know that I am going to study abroad. I HAVE TOOOOOOOOO. I must. There is a bit of a dilemma what with "the economy" the way it is (or me being kind of, just a little bit, scared of being completely and utterly alone. JK). But hey, there is the AMAZING Magellan program, and all we have to pay extra are the airfare and our expenses. Yikes. But guess what? There are SCHOLARSHIPS!

So yeah, I liked this presentation. I want to go everywhere. Seriously. I will see the world!!!!

(here it is.)

Kidding. XD