At the beginning of my time here at Eastern, I never thought I’d complete my last class overseas.

However, from the way I’ve planned out my last few credits, that’s the way I plan to finish up my bachelor’s degree.

Studying abroad can be one of the most exciting parts of a student’s time here at Eastern.

Going to the same classes, interacting with the same people and hanging out at the same spots in Chuckvegas on the weekends can get repetitive and lose its thrill.

So why not switch it up? Drastically?

There has been a long-running myth about how expensive studying abroad is, and it’s one that seriously needs to be put to rest.

Sure, exchange rates can be crummy in certain areas of the world, but oftentimes studying abroad can be cheaper than a semester at Eastern.

The opportunities in other countries are endless.

For students who have never been out of the country or even out of the Midwest, studying abroad can bring the real world completely into perspective.

There are so many aspects of the world you cannot even fathom until you see them firsthand.

Although I’ve never studied abroad, I did have the opportunity to travel to Italy with my family when I was 16, and it absolutely turned my world upside down.

Visiting other countries really allows you to completely delve into another country’s culture in a way you simply cannot in a classroom.

Therefore, having the opportunity to experience another culture while earning credits really can be the best of both worlds.

So many people say they plan to travel the world after they graduate college and get a job, but all too often, life gets too busy to make those dreams reality.

In the end, they look back with a “coulda, shoulda, woulda” attitude.

College really is the opportune moment.

Eastern’s Committee for the Assessment of Student Learning outlines four learning goals that graduates of the university should be able to embody.

They are the ability to write effectively, speak effectively, think critically and be able to function as responsible global citizens.

The other three, though hugely important for graduates, are extremely different from the ability to function as a responsible global citizen.

This ability to be respectful and plunge into another culture with no holds barred is one that should be fostered and promoted in every way possible.

In an ever-increasing global economy and workforce, this skill in its true form is one that really makes a prospective employee stand out.

If throughout your time at Eastern, you’ve become a better writer, speaker and analyst, take the time to truly develop that final skill of being a responsible global citizen.

The world will thank you later.

Robyn Dexter can be reached at 581-2812 or [email protected].