You just had the greatest semester of your life. As the fall study abroad semester comes to a close, you’re realizing all the ways you’ve grown this semester, the new friends you’ve made and become close with, the incredible experiences you’ve had, and all the amazing places you’ve visited. What was once an unfamiliar place has become your home these past four months. And if you’re like just about every study abroad student out there, your experience leaves you craving more.
When I got back from Florence after my study abroad program, I felt an aching desire to go back. I enjoyed the last few semesters of college and had the greatest time, and as the spring semester of my senior year flew by, I was constantly looking for and applying to the typical 9-5 jobs that suited my major. The stress from all the pressure to have a job before May 12, 2013 (my graduation day) was beating down over me and all the other seniors.
About three weeks before graduation, I decided that I wanted to find a way to travel and go back to Europe.
After college is the perfect time to travel – when else are you not going to be tied down to anything? Not when you have a job where you maybe get two weeks unpaid vacation per year. Not when you eventually get married and start a family. Of course, there is nothing wrong with any of those things. It’s the “American Dream.” But if your dreams include seeing the rice terraces in Bali, wandering around Diocletian’s Palace in Croatia, exploring the Great Barrier Reef in Australia, or eating sushi in Japan … then you should just do it.
About three weeks before graduation, I decided that I wanted to find a way to travel and go back to Europe.
After college is the perfect time to travel – when else are you not going to be tied down to anything? Not when you have a job where you maybe get two weeks unpaid vacation per year. Not when you eventually get married and start a family. Of course, there is nothing wrong with any of those things. It’s the “American Dream.” But if your dreams include seeing the rice terraces in Bali, wandering around Diocletian’s Palace in Croatia, exploring the Great Barrier Reef in Australia, or eating sushi in Japan … then you should just do it.
Really, though. I mean it.
You CAN travel after graduation. It IS possible, and there ARE ways to make it happen. If you don’t have the money to vacation or backpack, then find a job overseas. All of us at Euroadventures are getting paid to be here, and I was extremely lucky to land this job that allows me to explore Europe and inspire others to get out there too.
I’ve talked to plenty of people who make themselves “stuck” before they even get stuck. There are so many excuses I heard during that spring semester of senior year: “I need to find a job,” “I don’t have enough money,” “I don’t have enough time,” and “Eventually I’ll go back to Florence” … etc., etc.
I came across this article about planning your travel and making it happen – it’s definitely worth a read. The author even lays out a step-by-step guide! Read it, and I guarantee those excuses mentioned in the above paragraph will look weak.
If you’re still not convinced, watch these inspirational travel videos.
You CAN travel after graduation. It IS possible, and there ARE ways to make it happen. If you don’t have the money to vacation or backpack, then find a job overseas. All of us at Euroadventures are getting paid to be here, and I was extremely lucky to land this job that allows me to explore Europe and inspire others to get out there too.
I’ve talked to plenty of people who make themselves “stuck” before they even get stuck. There are so many excuses I heard during that spring semester of senior year: “I need to find a job,” “I don’t have enough money,” “I don’t have enough time,” and “Eventually I’ll go back to Florence” … etc., etc.
I came across this article about planning your travel and making it happen – it’s definitely worth a read. The author even lays out a step-by-step guide! Read it, and I guarantee those excuses mentioned in the above paragraph will look weak.
If you’re still not convinced, watch these inspirational travel videos.
I’ll reiterate it one more time: you CAN make it happen. You CAN travel after graduation and throw away those excuses. You’ll be working for the rest of your life – a little time off before a “real job” won’t hurt. And, according to this post, those that have international experience through work/leisure are more marketable when applying for jobs in the future.
You only get ten years to be in your twenties. Enjoy your life and seize this moment. Bookmark this post to refer back to when your spring semester of senior year comes around – remind your future self of your study abroad experience and why traveling after graduation is possible.
-Ally Archer
You only get ten years to be in your twenties. Enjoy your life and seize this moment. Bookmark this post to refer back to when your spring semester of senior year comes around – remind your future self of your study abroad experience and why traveling after graduation is possible.
-Ally Archer
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