An Influential Experience for Me: Going Abroad to Study

Life is about making choices, but some of them can even change our life. Two years ago I decided to come to America for my higher studies in Western Kentucky University. Although I knew it was really a challenge to me, this significant decision that I’ve made was going to change everything about my life and me. There are many things in life that can change the course of a person’s life. It can either make a positive impact or a negative impact on a person’s life. It’s always best to have the positive impact though. For me I have had a positive experience that has changed my life forever and that is coming to a different land and culture.

More people than ever before are attending college due to the endless opportunities that it provides. Louis Menand, a college professor and the author of “Live and Learn: Why We Have College,” explains the meaning of college through three theories that have been developed. Theory 1 supports the idea of the sorting-out process that separates the highly intelligent from the less intelligent. Menand’s second theory explains that college provides opportunities for developmental growth, personal growth, and teaches individuals about the world around us. These are valuable lessons that will not be learned anywhere else. Theory three supports the idea of people attending college to specialize in a specific vocation. I

College, The doorway to the future. Many things can happen during this phase of one’s life, well known for exposing peoples “true personalities” through its multiple hardships and adventure. One thing to be said about college is that it is one of the most stressful times of a person life. In College pressures, an article written by William Zinsser, the head master of Bradford College, states that the amount of pressure placed on college students is heavy and that is unintentionally been cause by their own self-doubt. I am interested in the essay because although it was written in the 70’s I know for a fact that many college students can truly relate to this essay in more than one way. I, personally, relate because I would be the first in my family to complete college with more than just an associate’s degree and it is a lot of pressure but, unlike the people in this essay, I know very well how to handle the pressure, but I do know many who are friends and in college right now who cannot handle the pressure and are failing under the pressure. In William Zinsser’s article, he simply explains how the unstable economy we live in is distracting us from adventuring out into uncharted territory. Simply because, in our up bringing our parents emphasized the importance of stability and the suggestion of striving for more realistic jobs. It also stresses the influence of peers have on one’s personal experience and opinion on where he or she should be academically causing exhaustion

College is an important place that can lead us to a bright and successful future. College success is more than academics; for us it’s learning how to become an adult for the first time in our life. In college we will develop skills to have relationships with professors, counselors, and with our peers. The whole college experience enables us to truly succeed. Meeting new people, becoming acquainted to different ideas and cultures, and mostly, the enjoyment of the four plus years of being in school. A couple of years from now we will look back at college as either one of the best or worst times of our lives. The one thing that motivates people to go to college is “career

Gary Colombo, Robert Cullen, and Bonnie Lisle in their book “Rereading America” feel that commencing college is a very disturbing experience. So many things we have to deal while starting college, but the major challenges are expanded difficulty levels and higher expectation which we are not familiar over the years of high school. In order to solve this issue, we have to remodel ourselves by taking up the challenge and rethink about our strength and flaws. To succeed in college we need to be mentally strong and dedicated towards our goal.

“In fall 2016, some 20.5 million students are expected to attend American colleges and universities, constituting an increase of about 5.2 million since fall 2000” (National Center for Education Statistics). That number seems to be rising each and ever year, and it almost seems as students feel like they have to go to college directly after high school. Maybe it is because they feel that they have to fit in, even if college is not for them. Although some students attend college for academics, sports, and other reasons, some students attend college for no apparent reason; with that in mind, students should take into consideration the time and money that is put into going to college.

College is a chance to be free and is a bridge between the real world and school. I’m an adult and expected to behave as such; I make my own choices where I have to decide what is important to me. I have an opportunity to learn how the world works, to explore the limitless possibilities and a chance to admire how vast knowledge can be. College will change my life in the way that I can develop life skills outside academics, to be fully

College shows the importance to many not only as a way hierarchy,but as a way of enhancing our skills so that we could be successful in life and to show those who said we can’t that it's in fact possible.In college everything that is done is your responsibility,meaning that you need to prioritize the things you do as a student and make sure that you get your classes in order before you start.High school was nearly the start of real life ,work is much heavier in college ,college exams aren’t as frequent as high school’s.When it comes to college inspiration is key to connecting with your students to ensure maximum

Due to my parents’ divorce, an unfortunate rift has been created in regards to my family life. However, bad things can always become good, and I have been able to turn this into a good thing. I have learned to care for myself, and at a young age, this is becoming rarer and rarer these days. I am able to cook, clean, do laundry, shop, and provide for myself. Many days have been spent by myself with a home to take care of, giving me many responsibilities that the average teenager would not need to worry about. This has prepared me for college life as well as beyond in the eventual real world I will find myself in. This fierce independence has shaped everything, from my personality to my daily life and

I immigrated to America with my family five years ago and received an education that is impossible to gain in China. Some may not know this, but access to college is very competitive and one’s social status plays a significant role to China’s economy. Therefore, my parents made an very important decision, which was to leave my mother country and step in a foreign country that is America. Here, I am able to experience mountains of obstacles and learn how to solve these complex life cases.

Time after time you hear about going to college; whether at work, family, friends, and even when you are in high school you might have been repeatedly told of how it can benefit you in the long run in regards to your future. They say a good education can take you far in life. Students in high school may still question the importance of a college education. In the world of today people find themselves asking, “Why is it important to go to college?” An important aspect of succeeding in today’s world is getting a better education, and it’s much more than just a degree - in college you also learn how to better prepare for assignments, perhaps one of the most important things you can get out of attending

Studying in abroad is one of the greatest social and academic challenges for international students as they have to adjust in new culture and live with completely new people. Studying abroad is a decision which should be considered carefully and you should take this decision about completely understanding the social and academic challenges that one could face in a new culture (Wendroff, 2016). When I took the decision of coming to the United States of America and to study in a completely different environment and culture, I knew that I would have to go through a lot of social and academic problems and challenges. which needs a lot of patience and understanding to adjust in new culture. In this paper, I will discuss my social and academic challenges and how anyone can going through those challenges and deal with them. Major challenges that will be under discussion in this research are: how can you understand the American culture? How can you become more independent in everyday life? How can you improve your speaking and listening ability?

As a typical 18-year-old Chinese high school student buried in 15 hours of daily studies with the objective of attending a renowned university, I yearned for independence and the freedom to broaden my horizons by studying abroad. However, I was raised in a traditional Chinese family to respect elders and comply with their judgments. My mom strongly disapproved initially, believing I would not survive by myself in a foreign country. Although I appreciated her concern, I persisted in challenging myself.

Attending college is a choice, but is accentuated of its advantages for someone in today’s real world. Widespread of opportunities are provided for graduates; the importance of college education has become quite evident in terms of earning potential within today’s economy. Perhaps, someone who wishes for a high-paying job or a decent salary for his/her family sees the necessity of attaining a college degree as a gateway to better options and unlocking opportunities. Also, it gives accomplishment for oneself. College life is not as easy as it is in high school. Through the college works and challenges they faced, the graduates build a sense of self- fulfillment and esteem in their lives. The knowledge and experience taken in college life; meeting

For many, after graduating high school the next big step is college. I never asked myself why or if I even wanted to. Yet, since I was not yet ready to join the work force, and didn’t want to disappoint my parents, I simply followed the path that I was supposed to take. For a while I had no direction, but through the loss of my high school English teacher and my dream of making my family proud, I discovered that college was the place I wanted and needed to be.