People often ask me why I want to study abroad. They want to know if I need several semesters’ worth of a foreign language to get anything out of the experience, whether my program offers all the same classes as SF State and if, by going abroad for an 11-month period, I’m going to fall hopelessly behind in my major.

“Aren’t you worried about graduating on time?” they ask, their eyes growing big as I tell them I’ll probably have another semester to complete when I get back and that no, I’m not even thinking about getting out of college in four years. Because along with a few academic credits and a change of scenery, I’m going abroad for the experience.

Growing up, my mother raved about her international travels and how exploring new cultures around Europe was one of the highlights of her college days. Others I’ve run into over the years—old friends, professors, even my yoga instructor—said studying abroad enriched their lives and opened the door to new possibilities and career paths. Several students have described the experience as a time to learn about yourself and test your limits by leaving your comfort zone.

I already had my first taste of this independence by moving out of my parents’ house to the dorms at SF State three years ago, and again when I signed my first apartment lease in the Sunset, but now I’m ready for a more drastic change.

I came across an April 7 editorial on the University of Southern California’s online newspaper Web site that discussed the low number of Trojan students who go abroad in favor of padding their résumé with extra internships, minors, club memberships, etc. The following is a section from the article that particularly struck me:

“Study abroad overlaps with the all-too-fierce graduate school/future employer sweepstakes, where what will look good on a résumé often supersedes all other concerns.

“The pressure to make every moment of our time count, in the sense that each pursuit must work toward occupational success, creates a population of students so driven that the time spent wandering down foreign boulevards—something we can’t add to a résumé—is seen in the negative, as time spent not doing something else.”

Reading this made me sad for those students who the writer talks about and happy that I attend a school so rich in international opportunity.

At SF State, I have at least one international or foreign exchange student in every class and I’ve met several others through the International Education Exchange Council on campus.

Not one has ever discouraged me from choosing to immerse myself in another culture—in fact, they’ve stopped at nothing to try and convince me to apply for a yearlong program, saying I’ll regret leaving once I’ve just settled and used to the new lifestyle.

I decided to take their advice and I haven’t looked back—I know I’ll be thanking them come December when, instead of packing up my souvenirs and catching the next flight back to San Francisco, I’ll be on my way to the beach.

Living in San Francisco has prepared me for a semester abroad in a new city—I have experienced apartment hunting, explored the city via Muni, utilized the bus system and taken advantage of the many events San Francisco is famous for, from the Love Parade down Market Street to concerts at historic venues, Giants games at AT&T Park and Boudin sourdough bread bowls at Fisherman’s Wharf.

I’ve completed internships, conquered my fear (mostly) of being published, joined a sorority and run a university sports club.

I have acquainted myself with this city and enjoyed every experience here, but now I’m ready to explore somewhere different.

So, wish me luck as I embark on a yearlong journey to Sydney, Australia, to hang out with the kangaroos, enjoy a vegemite sandwich, learn a new style of journalism and perhaps find out a little more about myself—7,416 miles away from home. Won’t that look great on a résumé?