Dear Editor,

I hear it all the time: “I don’t want to study abroad for a whole semester because I don’t want to miss anything.” Not an excuse, my friend. Please consider how much more you could gain instead of what could be lost in this great endeavor. Because, in fact, the average person at “Loyola High” would miss only the monotony of his everyday life – wake up, go to classes, get drunk, pass out and then wake up again, perpetuating the vicious cycle of everyday life.

Please wake up differently tomorrow. I propose that you study abroad at least for the summer. No, actually, at least a semester if possible. Choose a country, any country – somewhere you have always wanted to go or somewhere you had never even considered. We are given so many opportunities. I would hate to see this one go to waste. Check out our Center for International Education on the third floor of Mercy Hall (or the Web site for starters: http://studyabroad.loyno.edu/). We have a lot of people willing to help and many programs to choose from.

Stepping outside your comfort zone is extremely healthy, and stepping into another country for study abroad will change your life.

Sincerely,Emily RamirezEnglish writing junior