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　　I knew I wanted to study abroad as soon as I started thinking about where to go for college. A couple of weeks ago， I finally confirmed my study abroad plans. Next semester， I will be travelling to Amsterdam12 for a total of six months to continue my studies. Although I am extremely excited， I am mostly relieved that the process of finalizing my destination has come to a close， as it was long and arduous.13 +The process begins with determining whether study abroad is feasible14 with your major. For me， I had enough credit to forego a semester taking credits for my majors.15 Many students studying sciences like biology or chemistry， on the other hand， often opt out of study abroad during the semester simply because it is not compatible with their major.16 If semester study abroad isn’t an option， however， some students choose to study abroad in the summer. The second step is to utilize a budget sheet17 to determine if studying abroad is financially feasible. Study abroad programs almost always exceed $10，000.
　　The next， and arguably18 the most difficult step is choosing the location. This decision depends on a variety of factors： the type of program， the desired environment， and the quality of education. I was determined I would study abroad in the Middle East， however with the political instability， my plans changed drastically19 from going to Egypt to going to Amsterdam. Initially， I wanted to go to the Middle East because I was intrigued with20 Middle Eastern culture. I was determined to observe the intersectionality between Islamic society，21 Middle Eastern culture， and the economy. Additionally， I have been studying Arabic， and this language would prove useful in any of the countries in the Middle East. The political and social environment， however， was the only downside to this region. Because my family felt uncomfortable sending me there for six months， I steered22 towards choosing a destination in either Asia or Europe. I was specifically looking for a location that would not be too large and overwhelming and encapsulated a rich culture and history.23 Amsterdam is the cross-section between a vibrant culture， a dynamic economic environment， and a multi-cultural society in a city that feels like a small town.24 The university within the city is worldrenowned， and the exchange student culture is expansive. It was perfect.
　　After deciding the location， then comes the application process. For exchange programs， you must apply to your own university then to the host university. The application process itself takes about two to three weeks， in addition to four to six weeks to wait for the final decision. Currently， I am waiting for the official decision from the University of Amsterdam on whether or not I have been accepted. My hopes are high， however， and I have already conducted extensive research on airfare25 to Amsterdam， accommodation options， and the types of courses I will be taking.

　　I am eager to mesh with Amsterdam culture and satiate my hunger for adventure.26 I have already conducted extensive research about must-eat foods， must-visit destinations， and （most importantly in my opinion） how to rent a bike to explore the city. From my experience， I hope to gain a greater understanding of global culture and commerce， and the dynamic relationship between the two. Amsterdam is an exuberantly multi-cultural city and I hope to fully experience and observe the interplay of different cultures， races， and backgrounds in a nation that is not America.27 Furthermore， I am interested in studying the European Union from an insider’s perspective， especially in regards to the recent Brexit28. Though I have not undertaken my study abroad experience， I highly encourage any and all students to study abroad. Travelling to a country is completely different than learning in a country. Experiencing student life in a foreign location is not only an academically enriching experience， but also a self-enriching experience.

　　1. compile： 編写，汇编。
　　2. cognizant： 了解的，察知的；recurring： 重现的，重复发作的；peer： 搭档，同龄人。
　　3. endeavor： 测验，尽力。
　　4. simultaneously： 一起地；enriching： 使人充沛的，增进价值的。
　　5. scattered： 涣散的，分布的。
　　6. partake in： 参与，参与；recollection： 回想，往事。
　　7. semester： 学期。
　　8. 越南是他最喜欢的去向之一，在那里，他住在山中一间清静的小屋，远离尘嚣，自由地安闲地冥想。hut：（粗陋的）小屋，棚屋；introspectively： 好内省地，好反省地；dwell on： 细想。
　　9. disembark： 着陆，上岸。
　　10. Morocco： 摩洛哥，非洲西北部的一个滨海阿拉伯国家。
　　11. everlasting： 不朽的；accumulate： 累积；plethora： 过多，过剩。
　　12. Amsterdam： 阿姆斯特丹，荷兰首都，因城里河网布满，有“北方威尼斯”之称。
　　13. relieve： 使定心；finalize： 最终决议，确认；arduous： 吃力的，艰巨的。
　　14. feasible： （方案、主见或许办法）可实施的，行得通的。
　　15. credit： 学分；forego： 抛弃。
　　16. opt out of： 决议不参与……，决议（从……）退出；compatible：相容的，可共存的。
　　17. budget sheet： 预算表。
　　18. arguably： 或许，大约。
　　19. drastically： 猛烈地，力度大地。
　　20. be intrigued with： 对……感兴趣。
　　21. intersectionality： 交叉性；Islamic society： 伊斯兰社会，即以伊斯兰教为国教、大都居民信仰伊斯兰教的国家和地区，基本上地处中东。
　　22. steer： 操作方向，引导，这儿指改动主见。
　　23. overwhelming： 有压倒之势的；encapsulate： 归纳，紧缩。
　　24. cross-section： 指各部分相交的横截面；vibrant： 令人兴奋的，充满生机的；dynamic： 有生机的。
　　25. airfare： 飞机票价。
　　26. mesh with： 与……般配，相合，这儿指融入，接近；satiate： 使充沛满意。
　　27. 阿姆斯特丹是一座有着多元文明的生机四射的城市，我期望能在美国之外的国家里充沛体会和调查不同文明、种族和布景所碰撞出的火花。exuberantly： 生气勃勃地，精力充沛地；interplay：相互作用，相互影响。
　　28. Brexit： 即British exit or Britain exiting from the EU，是对英国退出欧盟这一事情的戏谑说法。2013年1月，英国首相卡梅伦就是否退出欧盟宣布讲话后，Brexit一词开端广泛传播。

读万卷书，行万里路
分类：教育教育
作者：By Amirah Ahmad
来历：学习

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