“Congratulations on your acceptance to The American University of Paris!”
I have never been more excited by a sentence. After months of searching for the right university with the right program in the right city, I can finally see my dream of studying abroad coming together.
I have long wanted to study abroad but I was never sure where I wanted to go. I have always wanted to live abroad but I wanted to be sure I was in a city I would enjoy.
I think studying abroad is very important for future careers, aside from getting the opportunity to live and study in a new country. Our world is steadily becoming more interconnected so I think it is essential for students to show that they have experience living abroad and adapting to new surroundings.
I decided to study abroad in Paris because of my career interests. I am interested in a career in the newspaper industry and on a trip to Europe, I was introduced to Le Monde, France’s leading newspaper.
That was last August and I have been following the newspaper’s work ever since. I downloaded the app for my iPhone and have push notifications that let me know the breaking news.
When Le Monde broke the story of Rick Perry dropping out of the elections before USA Today and NY Times, my decision was final.
My main focus while studying in Paris is to build a relationship with the editors for Le Monde. I will work on setting up meetings to speak with the different editors in hopes of securing an internship as a reporter for the newspaper.
Studying abroad is a major decision and it should not be taken lightly or as a joke. A semester abroad can get very pricey and the commitment should be made with the proper attitude.
I decided that I didn’t want to use a study abroad program mainly because none of the programs had anything that correlated with my area of study and my location of interest. Instead, I applied as an independent visiting student and have chosen to go alone.
In total, my trip is going to cost around $30,000. I wish it wouldn’t cost so much, but that is the price I am going to have to pay for the convenience of being in the city I want to study in.
None of this would be possible without my parents’ financial and emotional support, and I thank them from the bottom of my heart. I am counting down the days until I get to board a plane and embark on the biggest adventure in my life. I cannot wait.