#StudyAbroadBecause

The White House calls on Americans to Study Abroad

“We want all Americans to recognize there is a value in studying abroad, there’s a value in engaging people around the world, there’s a value personally, there’s a value professionally and there are resources available to them.” – Ben Rhodes, Deputy National Security Advisor for Strategic Communications and Speechwriting

On December 9, 2014, the White House hosted 100 prominent travel journalists and bloggers to discuss a topic close to our hearts: the need to get more Americans to study abroad. The conference was part of President Barack Obama’s push to encourage the pursuit of international education, raising awareness as well about the administration’s focus on the benefits of cultural exchange and cross cultural education. Discussion centered on the urgency and importance of increasing participation and diversity in study abroad.

Following the conference, bloggers, travels, students and proponents of international education took to Twitter with the treading hashtag #StudyAbroadBecause. We rounded up our favorite #StudyAbroadBecause tweets here.

25 Reasons to Study Aboard from #StudyAbroadBecause

#StudyAbroadBecause Sending American students abroad is a strategic imperative for the US & the diversity of students throughout the country
— ShootieGirl (@OfficialShootie) December 11, 2014

#StudyAbroadBecause it makes you stronger, smarter, more resilient, and a more well-rounded person.
— Nathan Fisher (@NateGFisher) December 11, 2014

#StudyAbroadBecause It will turn your current black-and-white world into a colorful one, with loads of new opportunities and friendships.
— Rebe With a Clause (@RebeWithaClause) December 11, 2014

#studyabroadbecause you’ll gain valuable perspectives and experiences necessary to understand our globalized world.
— Mohamed Abdel-Kader (@MAKtweeter) December 11, 2014

#StudyAbroadBecause it’s an amazing opportunity to get out of the classroom and get up close and personal with what you read in a textbook.
— Lindsay (@Lindsay_NYC) December 11, 2014

“Educational exchange can turn nations into people.” -J.W. Fulbright #StudyAbroadBecause http://t.co/IsRWfHsFm0 #generationstudyabroad
— Fulbright Programs (@FulbrightPrgrm) December 11, 2014

#StudyAbroadBecause the world is simultaneously so much larger and so much smaller than what you realize.
— Erin Piepenbrok (@erinpeep) December 11, 2014

#StudyAbroadBecause there’s nothing like actually walking in the footsteps of history to give you perspective.
— Angie & Rachel Orth (@TheJetSisters) December 11, 2014

#StudyAbroadBecause Americans who travel become ambassadors for our country- defining values, debunking stereotypes. #WHTravelBloggers
— David Lee (@rtwdave) December 11, 2014

Because I went from zero to fluent in 12 months. #WHTravelBloggers #StudyAbroadBecause
— Small Planet Studio (@CateBrubaker) December 11, 2014

#StudyAbroadBecause growth doesn’t come from comfort zones pic.twitter.com/vDAcZ6m1UG
— Kelly K (@kelly_kirkwood) December 11, 2014

#StudyAbroadBecause you may figure out who you are halfway around the world pic.twitter.com/rdrN8Pueyr
— Katie Downey (@katiedowneyy) December 11, 2014

Reading about other countries in the news is NOT the same as experiencing said countries firsthand. #studyabroadbecause
— Carrie HerreraNiesen (@ccniesen) December 11, 2014

#StudyAbroadBecause growth can only happen when we challenge ourselves to try something new. pic.twitter.com/aCl2eSVgBu
— Diversity Abroad (@diversityabroad) December 11, 2014

#StudyAbroadBecause you’ll not only learn about your host culture, but you’ll teach them about yours.
— Lindsay (@Lindsay_NYC) December 11, 2014

#StudyAbroadBecause it’ll help you to better understand our differences AND similarities as global individuals #studyabroad #inteld
— GoAbroad (@GoAbroad) December 11, 2014

#StudyAbroadBecause getting outside your comfort zone can be a good thing.
— World Learning (@WorldLearning) December 11, 2014

#StudyAbroadBecause you’ll regret it if you don’t. There are too many cultures to explore and too little time once you start working!
— Louise Ferguson (@loufergie) December 11, 2014

#StudyAbroadBecause “It helped me realize the impact that we can have as Americans on others in other countries.” – FEA scholar
— FEA (@FEAScholarships) December 11, 2014

#StudyAbroadBecause After going to college it’s the best investment in your future and society’s future that you’ll ever make!
— AU SIS Study Abroad (@SISStudyAbroad) December 11, 2014

#StudyAbroadBecause the global understanding you gain & the friendships you make create a more peaceful, secure, & propserous world
— Katie O’Connell (@KatieAtNAFSA) December 11, 2014

#StudyAbroadBecause this world is so much larger than the one you’re born into. Each place you go is an extra chapter in the book of life!!
— Serena Groff (@mceasilyserena) December 11, 2014

#StudyAbroadBecause All good stories start out with “This one time while studying abroad….”
— Kristen Sarra (@NotouristISwear) December 11, 2014

#StudyAbroadBecause I made friends and connections in more countries than I care to count, and YOU can too.
— Hugh Blackburn (@ImmortalBonds) December 11, 2014

#StudyAbroadBecause it’s an amazing opportunity to get out of the classroom and get up close and personal with what you read in a textbook.
— Lindsay (@Lindsay_NYC) December 11, 2014