Have you ever dreamed of going wine tasting in Italy, seeing one of Shakespeare’s plays in England or shopping in France? These are just a few of the many opportunities that studying abroad will make available to you.

One of the most exciting things about going to college is that you have the opportunity to study abroad! What’s great about Binghamton University is that it has so many resources available to help you as you embark on this exciting journey. You can visit The Office of International Programs where you can explore many different study abroad programs and learn how the university will support you on this new endeavour. You can choose from one of twenty Binghamton sponsored study abroad program such as the Semeter-in-London; any other of the 400+ SUNY study abroad programs; or do what I did and choose a completely independent program. If you decide to go this route, you will find Studayabroad.com to be an incredibly helpful website.

I studied abroad the summer after my sophomore year and it was the most exciting experience of my life. I went places and did things that I had previously only dreamed about. My six weeks abroad were a whirlwind of traveling, learning, meeting great friends and making amazing memories that will last me a lifetime.

During my time in Italy, I was able to visit so many fascinating places and experience so many wonderful things. I took a magical gondola ride in Venice, saw Michelangelo’s majestic statue of David in Florence and had a picturesque picnic on the Adriatic coast. These were places that before I had only seen on television and read about in books, but by studying abroad I was able to see these things first hand.

In addition, because I was in Italy for such an extended period of time I was able to make great friendships with many of the native Italians. My Italian friends are really what made my time abroad the most memorable. They showed me a part of the everyday life in Italy that most foreigners don’t usually get to see. Together we went shopping at a mall in Udine and they even took me to their parent’s house for a family dinner. It was because of my friends that I really felt like a traveler, not a tourist.

I truly hope that you chose to study abroad as a college student. It will be one of the most enriching and rewarding things you can do!