Studying Abroad by Zareen Abbasi

Zareen is currently an Account Executive at Tribune Publishing. Views are her own.

"How relevant is studying abroad? Timelessly relevant. Studying abroad has been a topic of discussion in every interview I’ve had to date. I work in media, an industry that evolves quicker than we blink. Having a pulse on the global media landscape is key to my day-to-day. Grasping that landscape is to the credit of my study abroad experience.

My junior year of college, I decided to pursue a study abroad program for 6 months on whim. I had no place in mind, but was shying away from destinations like Madrid and Rome, London and Sydney; the poster destinations for study abroad-ers. I had become complacent in college and needed to revive my sense of enthusiasm. I wanted to be out of my comfort zone.

I set out to study at Boğaziçi University in Istanbul (without any prior knowledge of the Turkish language, or the culture) for 6 months – till date, one of my wiser decisions. I was the only student that semester to choose Boğaziçi, oblivious to its high rank and history as the first accredited American University in the Middle East.

I grew and learned in unquantifiable ways; but among other things, these were some of my takeaways abroad:

• Self-Awareness: So important, but very rare. I was able to travel to several countries while abroad, all different than America, significantly different than Turkey. The nuances of all the different cultures I was exposed to were exciting and strange in equal parts. There were times the native's mentalities conflicted with my own. Imposing my likings on others in a foreign place wasn't an option. Reminding yourself to embrace discomfort is key—it’s a good exercise of patience, critical thought, and adaptation, attributes all highly sought after in the real world.  Assimilation and being mindful of how you carry yourself in unfamiliar settings reinforces self-awareness.
• Standards of Education: Many of my professors were alums of renowned American and British universities, well-versed in their respective fields. I’d venture to say, the academic standard I was held up against in Istanbul was higher than the University of Illinois. Being among the brightest in Turkey, I often found myself being outsmarted and outwitted in English and American culture by my Turkish peers. Unlike other Turkish schools, Boğaziçi’s classes were taught in English, requiring Turkish students to take several entrance exams, English literacy assessments, and invest a lot of time and money in education. The path to higher education for these students was not as paved as it was for me here in America. The university's curriculums reflected that rigor and I benefitted from it.
• Impact of Network: Apart from having a host in every city on the globe, I established a huge network I'm constantly inspired by. I made contacts with individuals who worked in the Turkish media, friends who’ve since spearheaded start-ups in Shanghai, volunteered with NGO’s in Dhaka, are anthropologists in Quito, and pursued art fellowships in St. Petersburg. People who cite their successes and love for travel to studying in Istanbul.

Living in America oftentimes prevents us from understanding the mechanics of the world that lies beyond what we know. In Turkey, I was engaged with everything that happened around the world, in real-time without having to “opt in”.

I subscribe to the “there is no education like travel,” mantra. I encourage everyone to study abroad in their undergraduate years, it’s a great introduction to the globe while establishing foundations for your career.

How do you bulk up the resume while having the time of your life? Think big picture, think global.

So how relevant is studying abroad? Timelessly relevant."

Advertising and Economics at The University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, 2013