1. Studying abroad
2. Backpacking
What do you choose. Well studying abroad is always a safe bet. You will have the time of your life, you probably won't do too much work, and its pretty much fool proof. The major draw back of studying abroad, despite your academic adviser's claims, is the cost. Studying abroad is absolutely, totally, and ridiculously expensive. My first time leaving the country was a short summer session in Cork, Ireland. I had the time of my life and it completely changed everything for me. Unfortunately, those 4 glorious weeks on the Irish coast cost me $10,000 and a slight dip in my overall GPA. If you are a serious student, hellbent on a 4.0, it's not even worth it.
I studied abroad once more two years later. This time my travel expenses were covered, courtesy of the U.S. government. I spent 5 months in the beautifully tragic Transylvania, Romania. But, like all good things, you get what you pay for. It was an experience, and it was free, but I can't lie and say that a semester in the South of France wouldn't have been preferable.
If it is your first time leaving the country and you have access to loans, grants, or several thousand dollars, then by all means study abroad. No school or nation wants a dead exchange student so they make everything easy and fun, plus you will have a built in social life upon arrival. If you study in Europe (more costly) you have better and cheaper access to other prime destinations (i.e. if you study in Paris, Rome is just a train or a plane away). If you want to study abroad on the cheap, look into South America and even Canada (I'm sorry but Montreal is a dope city). These programs can be incredibly affordable and you'll still have an awesome time.
For someone looking for a little more adventure or with a little less cash, backpacking is absolutely the way to go. To this day it was the hardest, most stressful, best thing I have ever done in my life. Sleeping on trains, in parks, getting lost, finding hidden gems... If you are young, and low maintenance this really is the way to go. You will smell like shit, you will not sleep, and you will want to burn your backpack by the time you are done but it is well worth it. Just make sure you know who you are traveling with and that you can handle the close proximity for the duration of your trip. If your BFF Jessica needs a hair straightener, a vegan diet, or clean sheets you might want to leave her at home, even if she is super fun to party with. I backpacked in Western Europe and had the time of my life. I spent 5 weeks taking trains and sleeping in hostels and camp sites for a total cost of about $3,500 including airfare and Eurail pass.
You will have a sick time either way, just make sure you step out of your comfort zone. You don't want to spend weeks or even months hanging out with a bunch of kids from the midwest bitching about the lack of Wal-Marts or Taco Bells.
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