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Why Everyone Should Study Abroad: From a Student to a Student
I’ll provide a brief introduction before I get going on this tangent. My name is Kyle Loftus and I’m currently a senior at Ohio University. I’m a video production major with a passion for writing, photography, adventure, and travel. Last summer I planned and executed a solo-backpacking trip around Europe. Additionally, I studied abroad in Letterkenny, Ireland. Through my travels I got to experience incredibly unique cultures, learn new languages, acquire new taste buds, visit world-renowned landmarks, and make friendships with people all over the globe. I’m writing this piece to encourage everyone no matter how young or old to get out and experience the world. Although I’m speaking directly about studying abroad, this piece is binding to travel & adventure as a whole. Additionally, I’m writing this piece because I’ve grown frustrated with people’s complacency. I’m tired of people settling with what they are instead of working towards what they can be. I’m tired of hearing people complain about their boring lives all-the-while doing nothing about it. I’m tired of ignorance clouding so many minds. I’m tired of the phrase “I can’t do it” or “I don’t have the money” because you can. I’m not sure, maybe it's fear of the unknown. Maybe it’s fear of taking the chance. Whatever the reason is, the phenomenon that occurs when breaking through that fear and traveling abroad is incredible so TAKE A CHANCE AND MAKE IT HAPPEN.
Here are my top ten reasons to study abroad:
1. Expand your horizon.
2. Acquire an open-mind.
3. Get in touch with your ancestry.
4. Learn a new language.
5. Looks great on a resume.
6. Take control of your life.
7. Make friendships that will last a lifetime.
8. Build a global network.
9. Find your passion in life.
10. A Life-changing experience.
1. Expand your horizon.
The world has an infinite supply of beauty and mystery ripe for the taking. There are endless amounts of experiences waiting for you from the awe-inspiring architecture of Prague Castle to the crystal clear waters of Cinque Terre. In every country there lies monuments, museums, landmarks etc. that have defined world history. Take a second and let that sink in…WORLD history. You will gain a better understanding of the world by actually seeing it, hearing it, and feeling it. Pictures are worth a thousand words, but a thousand words won’t come close to seeing Michael Angelo’s Sistine Chapel masterpiece in person. Textbooks are great but if you truly want to learn about Pompeii you should start by physically going there. Studying abroad will provide you with an immeasurable amount of genuine knowledge that no book with the government mandated stamp-of-approval can provide.
2. Acquire an open-mind.
Arguably one of the greatest qualities I acquired while studying abroad was an open-mind. Frank Zappa says it best, “A mind is like a parachute. It doesn’t work unless it’s open.” By completely immersing yourself in a different country and culture you’ll learn how the United States has influenced you from top to bottom. Furthermore, you’ll learn how the United States has impacted the world. Studying abroad will allow you to educate others and dispel stereotypes. It provides you the opportunity to be a representative of your country and culture. By plunging yourself in a new culture you can truly understand your own. When you open your mind to new ideas and perspectives you automatically become exposed to the differences as well as the similarities your culture shares in correspondence to another. Additionally, you’ll learn about an entirely new way of life fueled by different values and beliefs. Studying abroad will challenge the way you see the world. It will encourage you to openly observe and discuss everything around you. Studying abroad will allow you to push aside the influence of mainstream media and finally form as well as validate your OWN perspective on life.
3. Get in touch with your ancestry.
There’s nothing quite like getting to learn about where you can from and I’m not talking about childbirth. That’s a different story for a different day. I’m talking about getting in touch with your roots. Who planted the seed for your family name? Who was the first to travel to the states? Where did your ancestors reside? Learning about my heritage was absolutely incredible. I got to study abroad in Ireland and being Irish made the experience that much more mesmerizing. You discover a whole new side of yourself that you never knew about. You truly feel a deeper connection to where you came from. You may even find yourself like me, constantly craving more information in a desire to become more grounded in what stream of miracles led to you being here today. Furthermore, you’ll grow more connected to the land your ancestors came from. Still to this day I feel a sense of connection to Ireland. I still carry Ireland with me from the profound silence of Mt. Errigal to the breathtaking views off of the Cliffs of Moher.
4. Learn a new language.
Let’s be honest with ourselves, nobody gets anything out of a language course except hoping to scrape by the semester with a B. The only way to truly learn and become fluent in a different language is to be submerged in it. This goes hand-in-hand with driving. You can read as many pamphlets and do as many virtual simulators as you want but the only way you’ll ever learn to drive is by doing it. I can’t begin to stress the importance of being able to speak multiple languages. Knowing a foreign language will dramatically improve your learning process, communication skills, and present you with a whole new world of opportunities. Did you know that over 880 million people speak mandarin as their primary language? Go out and ask 100 random American’s if they speak mandarin fluently and see how many respond yes. My guess is less than 10. My point with this is being, you become 10x more valuable simply by knowing another language. Not only that, a whole new world of opportunity opens its doors to you. Imagine if you knew 3-4 different languages…
5. Looks great on a resume.
International experience is a crucial trait that cannot be undermined in our current era. The world is growing more connected every single day, and in correlation the necessity to being able to interact and communicate with others across the globe is imperative. A study abroad experience is a resume goldmine. No volunteer service, or work history can come close to comparing to having study abroad experience in the eyes of an employer. Companies are constantly seeking out the next best candidate for their new positions. Holding a manager position at your local grocery store is great, but that isn’t going to jump off the page. You know what will? Being able to say you experienced a new culture, studied a new language, made global connections, learned to be completely independent, and did it all in a foreign country. Nothing says hire me quite like “studied abroad” on a resume.
6. Take control of your life.
Although studying abroad is a great resume builder, I think it is a far better personal development course. Forcing yourself to sum up the courage to study in a country where you know nobody will make you mentally and emotionally stronger than you could ever imagine. I can’t emphasize how beneficial forcing yourself outside your comfort zone can be. Nothing can make you a stronger you than having to face your fears because when you triumph (and you will) you come out more confident, optimistic, and driven than ever before. Yes you will face many trials and tribulations. At times you’ll be discourage, but you’ll be amazed at your own ability to overcome adversity. No matter how hard a task may be you’ll come out on top. You’ll be astonished by your ability to persevere to the next challenge. Suddenly, you’ll find yourself seeking the next big challenge with a get-up-and-go attitude and that’s when truly you begin to realize your full potential. Furthermore, constantly learning how to interact with people in a culture your unfamiliar with will force you to pay attention to detail. The communication skills that you will acquire are priceless and can’t be taught. Studying abroad will teach you what it truly means to overcome adversity. Although college is a great crash course, it doesn’t teach you to how to communicate or find transportation without quickly typing in the address on Google maps. College won’t teach you how to get by with nearly nothing like studying abroad will. College won’t show you how to be organized and manage your time like studying abroad will. You’ll think you only have a minute to spare in the day and then you’ll study abroad and learn how to turn that minute into two hours. Studying abroad for one semester will teach you how to manage your finances, work, school, and social life faster than any four-year college can. Studying abroad will teach you to be completely independent and take full control of your life.
7. Make friendships that will last a lifetime.
The relationships you form while you study abroad are arguably the deepest bonds you will ever develop. There is nothing quite like meeting people with different backgrounds as well as cultures from that of your own and taking on life changing experiences. Studying abroad will force you outside your comfort zone. It will encourage you to engage with people you may never otherwise have. It allows you to open up your mind to different people and ideas. Studying abroad will teach you to condemn any subjective thoughts you may have previously held. It encourages understanding and compassion. I never knew anyone I studied abroad with and now I consider them all some of my closest friends. I had no idea who any of them were or if we had the slightest bit of common ground. Now… now I can tell you all about them. Despite not knowing anyone on my trip I came back having discovered that we share so much in common and care for each other regardless of our differences. Additionally, studying abroad will put your companions and yourself in the face of trying times but it is through these times you build a friendship unlike any other. The bond you will build with your companions will be nearly indestructible as you mold it over the course of your time abroad through experiencing a new culture, language, and landscape together.
8. Build a global network.
The relationships formed while studying abroad won’t just be with those traveling with you but people from all walks of life. You’ll quickly find that there are endless amounts of people that wish to travel and learn about other cultures just like yourself. I made so many friends through my travels simply by sharing my experiences and lifestyle back home. It felt as though we were feeding off each other’s energy asking question after question, constantly comparing the lives we led. It was humbling to meet so many people that were genuinely kind and interested in me. I didn’t feel like a stranger in a local’s only bar, I felt like a regular. People were excited to hear about my story and were more than open to sharing theirs. I was amazed at the kindness and generosity of so many. I made friends with a team of RNLI members. I got to see all different parts of Ireland because I met so many amazing people that were more than willing to show me around and put a roof over my head. I received complementary meals for genuine conversations; I got to experience the Galway Film Fleadh, I even raised my glass with Dubliners in celebration to good health (sláinte). These memories are ones I will never forget. Furthermore, these relationships are ones I’ll hold and cherish forever. Not only that, I now have numerous friends from all over Ireland that I know I can always reach out to. It’s absolutely critical to have a quality network to be successful and having a global one puts you ahead of the pack. I now have friends I can contact for insight, business opportunities, global ventures or assistance in whatever my next undertakings may be. It’s not about what you know but who you know.
9. Find your passion in life.
To me life had always seemed to have a designated path. I was told time and time again that I could do anything I wanted. Sadly, I never knew what I wanted because I never got to find out for myself. All my life I was taught that I had to get through high school, go to a good college, get a degree, and then get a quality job. First off, I didn’t want a job I wanted a career. I wanted something I would look forward to doing everyday but I had no idea what that would be. I knew I was proficient at writing and relatively athletic but even in high school I was pretty aware there wasn’t an occupation for that. It wasn’t until I traveled abroad that I truly found my passion for writing, photography, and videography come alive. Furthermore, it’s why I’m writing this for you today. Traveling abroad put me in a place I had never been before. I was completely independent. I didn’t have outside voices trying to make my life decisions for me. Pop culture and mainstream media wasn’t ringing in my ear. I was finally able to think for myself and discovered what motivated me and truly made me happy. I was astonished at how much I learned about myself in such a short period of time compared to the years of confusion I had back home as I constantly juggled the opinions of others instead of taking the time to acknowledge my own. Traveling abroad is the perfect opportunity to truly discover yourself and define what you’re passionate about.
10. A life-changing experience.
I’ve already ranted for long enough about studying abroad and if what I’ve previously stated hasn’t given you food for thought, I don’t know what will. To put it plain and simple, there’s nothing like it. Studying abroad was an unforgettable experience that I wouldn’t trade for anything. I know you may be worried about the things you’ll miss out on back home as well as being thousands of miles away, I know I was but trust me when I say it’s beyond worth it. Studying abroad will give you unbreakable bonds. It will teach you so much about yourself and your untapped potential. It will build your character beyond proportion. It will open your mind up to endless possibilities. It will allow you to take full control of your life. Studying abroad truly is a once in a lifetime opportunity so don’t let it pass you by.
Good Shooting,
Kal
San Francisco Experience (8/10/15-8/15/15)
This is a collection of stills I captured while traveling around the San Fransisco area. I went to many amazing places and made some amazing memories. I got to wander in Muir Woods, drink wine in Sonoma, and of course I had the world famous sour dough bread. These images help share my story from seeing San Fransisco for the first time. I hope you enjoy these images and please share them with your friends who wold love to travel here!
Good Shooting,
Kal
The Side of Amsterdam You Don’t Hear About
I went backpacking in Europe and ended up falling in love. I fell in love with Amsterdam. You see, after returning home to the states from my travels I received many questions. One of the most common places people asked me about was Amsterdam. Of course, what did I expect...I was an adventurous, nature-loving, artsy twenty-year-old at the time. I suppose everyone knew my intentions on visiting Amsterdam from the start.
I would be lying if I didn’t say I had every intention of legally smoking pot and seeing the red light district. I couldn’t help it. After the volumes of movies I viewed over my childhood highlighting Amsterdam, I knew I had to go. Can you blame me? I simply wanted to see what every college kid idolized, the European Utopia.
However, I surprised myself and many other people when I returned home. When posed with the question “what was Amsterdam like?” I found myself rattling everyone’s mind like a confused puppy. Why you ask? Well it’s complicated so stick with me here.
I did love smoking weed and eating edibles in Amsterdam. I thought the red light district was unbelievable and a culture shock unlike anything I’ve experienced. I’ve never stepped foot into a strip club so visiting the red light district left me in a state of vertigo. I kept rubbing my eyes red in disbelief. Of course the weed could’ve been part of the reason for the red eyes but that’s beside the point. I loved experiencing these two aspects of Amsterdam but they weren’t the reasons I loved Amsterdam.
I fell in love with Amsterdam because of the design and culture/people. I’ll break this down section by section.
First off, I loved the design or better yet aesthetic of Amsterdam. After boarding my train I was immediately greeted with endless amounts of graffiti zooming by in the window. Miles of vibrant colors and obscure phrases lined the walls into Amsterdam Centraal Station. Yes it is Centraal with two a’s. Once I got to Centraal Station and took to the streets I was in disbelief. The buildings all possessed an old Victorian style of architecture. They were all so uniformed and yet uniquely flooded with different colored post, roofs, clocks, framing etc. The buildings were like nothing I had ever seen in the states where windows are idolized. It took coming to Amsterdam to realize how amazing the structural design of a building can be.
I was so accustomed to tall, rectangular and clear, I had never imagined anything else. Additionally, the endless canals connecting all over were beautiful. Additionally, I was intrigued by the boat homes that lined the canals. They seemed to be something out of a fantasy flick, each one being so colorful and unique to its own. Let’s not forget the colorful homes with windowsills filled with vibrant flowers. They filled the air with life and in way induced a state of euphoria. No I did not take any psychedelics. Furthermore, there was the cobblestone that filled every street. I never loved the sound of footsteps so much. I felt as though I was thrown back into the 1800’s. Walking around Amsterdam was so unique. I was absolutely in love with the colorful city of Amsterdam and even the practice of dodging the endless amounts of bikers roaming the street.
Second off, I fell in love with Amsterdam because of the open-minded culture and people. Within twenty minutes of checking into my hostel I was already out with a few new companions exploring the area. I was amazed at how friendly and inviting people were. I wasn’t being hassled for food or money, but invited for coffee and lunch. People were so interested in learning about other cultures and ways of life. I was bombarded with questions and comments about life in the states. Moreover, everyone was very open to my questions about their culture and what it was like growing up in Amsterdam. I felt so welcomed by the kindness of others.
Perhaps what really made me love Amsterdam was I didn’t feel like I was being watched like all my other stops. People were so open to new ideas and styles that everyone seemed to fit in. Nobody was being pointed at or discriminated against. Everyone had their own unique style and way of life and that was okay. I didn’t realize until I came back to the states how judgmental we can be and how much better life would be if we welcomed one another with open arms.
I could go on for pages about my adventures in Amsterdam, but this piece is meant to persuade you to visit Amsterdam and help reinvent its image in the states not to ruin the fun for everyone. Yes, Amsterdam has marijuana and the red light district but that isn’t what makes Amsterdam so unique and exciting. Amsterdam is one of a kind because of its unique design from the ground up. Amsterdam is one of a kind because it welcomes people from all walks of life and celebrates the idea of individuality. Amsterdam is one of a kind because it is offers a culture and lifestyle you can find anywhere else. In case you didn’t hear me the first three times, Amsterdam is one of a kind. If you ever intend on traveling the world or even just Europe, Amsterdam is a must see.
Good Shooting,
Kyle
Backpacking at Zaleski State Forest (10/16/15-10/18/15)
This is a collection of stills I captured while backpacking 18 + miles at Zaleski State Forest this past weekend with an amazing group of adventurers. I had the time of my life regardless of the cold. The forest was filled with the radiant colors of fall. I loved every moment of this experience from cooking up some wild pizza to checking out the abandoned Athens railway tunnel. I can't wait for my next adventure. Always keep yourself open to new experience and don't be afraid to get out and embrace the natural world. Stay humble and always stay wild my friends.
Good Shooting,
Kal
Trauma Video Shoot with Charles
This is a collection of stills I captured while shooting a music video with Charles Wright, an artist I recently met in Athens, OH. I had a great time getting out in the field and creating some gnarly content. I can't wait to piece this all together and show ya'll. Stay tuned for the release of Trauma and my recent music video shot with Alaina Kai.
Good Shooting,
Kal
Rock Climbing at Hocking Hills State Park (9/26/15)
This is a collection of stills I captured while taking a weekend rock climbing trip to Hocking Hills. The climbs included bouldering, crack climbing, and of course top rope climbing. Hocking Hills State Park is one of the most beautiful and invigorating parks in all of Ohio. I would highly recommend a trip there to absolutely anyone who loves nature. This park is filled with history, life and vibrancy. I cannot wait to make another trip out in the fall when the leaves change. Stay tuned for my future fall collection.
Good Shooting,
Kal
Abandoned Union Bar
This is a collection of stills I captured while exploring the abandoned Union Bar in Athens, OH. This bar was burnt down in 2014 due to a fire. The bar collapsed and has yet to be reoccupied. I had a lot of fun exploring the history of this building and the memorabilia that remains.
Good Shooting,
Kal
Summer of 15'
This is a video recap capturing my amazing adventures and experiences of the course of this past summer. It was one for the books. I had the time of my life with the best friends and family anyone could ever ask for. I want to thank everyone who was a part of my summer, I'm truly blessed with good peoples. Always make time to get outside your comfort zone and take on the world. Enjoy your life to the fullest and treat each and every day as though it was your last. All love.
Good Shooting,
Kal
Sorority Bid Day at Ohio University
This is a collection of stills I captured while filming Bid Day for some local Ohio University sororities. Video recap coming soon so follow me on Instagram and Twitter @kyleloftusphoto for constant updates and the first look at new releases.
Good Shooting,
Kal
