So, you have finally chosen your college. The campus is beautiful, and the people are great. The weather is nice, and your classes don’t put you to sleep. Why would you ever leave?

Over 55 percent of college students say that they are fairly certain they will study abroad during their time at college. No matter how much you love your college, studying abroad offers experiences that students will love and cherish the rest of their lives.

You can go to any country you want, meet new people, and experience an other-worldly life. However, the writers at The World Is Your Campus state that only five percent of college students take the plunge to study abroad.

What happened to the 55 percent of students that wanted to study abroad? Many students are turned off by several reasons. First, some colleges may not offer study abroad programs. However, this is rare, and students can usually apply with another college’s study abroad program.

Money is an issue. People think that studying abroad would cost them too much money. Living in a different country could definitely be expensive, but students don’t realize that there are many ways to get around the price. Sure, most of the time students will have to pay for airfare, but when all is said and done, it’s worth it.

Financial aid and scholarships usually transfer over to the foreign country with the student. Students will have to pay for housing and tuition, but they would have the same expenses at college anyways. Money should not stand in the way of studying abroad, because you could never trade the memories and experiences for any sum of money.

Other students never travel abroad because they do not want to leave their current friends. These students feel like they will miss out on too much if they leave for a whole year. Of course, students can always study abroad for as little as a quarter or a semester, but they might decide to prolong their stay after experiencing their new lives.

While it is true that students will miss out on friends and whatever is happening on campus, they will make new friends and create new memories on their foreign campus.

Some students are just too lazy to make the effort of actually applying for a study abroad program and mentally preparing themselves for the experience. The hardest part will be submitting the application, but once that is done, the opportunities of a lifetime await. Think about it: when else will you have the time to leave the country for up to a year and just enjoy life? Entering the work force and raising a family follow college, and then people wonder where all the time went.

Robin Carr, a fourth year at the University of California Santa Barbara studied abroad in Japan. He decided to study abroad because he “wanted to learn more about the world.” When asked if he enjoyed his experience, he replied, “Of course. I’m going to go back.”

Studying abroad will give students the most memorable experiences of their lives. It is worth any amount of money, and will never be regretted. You too will want to go back to whatever country you study in, for a part of your heart will never leave.