By Irene Yukash

It all started my sophomore year. I remember I would spend most afternoons lying on my bed, contemplating how to attack my college career as best as I could. I spent a decent amount of time bouncing around from club to club until I stumbled upon a sign for a study abroad information session. Certain I couldn’t afford it, I attended the meeting anyway (a girl can dream!).

For anyone who’s never skimmed my column before, my name is Irene and I am a travel fanatic! I studied abroad in Spain for six months during my senior year (I’ve been here a long time, I know) and it changed my life. I’ve managed to stop annoying my friends (sorry Caitlin and Marrit) and start channeling my deep urge to share my experience with others by writing this column.

Let’s start from my first informational meeting hosted by the Center for International Education and bounce around from there. Students, faculty, and staff of the CIE alike approached the podium to tell their stories. This was not your average meeting. With much enthusiasm each speaker encouraged students to go abroad. Thoughts of eating a baguette at the Eiffel tower, snorkeling in Australia, and learning Flamenco in Spain raced through my mind. I couldn’t help but be immediately attracted to escape the routine hustle and bustle of going to college, working, and other responsibilities. Why not give it a shot before the reality of student loans and job hunting took precedent? I filled out the paper work that day.

According to it’s website, CCSU’s Center for International Education has a mission to “engage faculty and students in the pursuit of global education”. The center, located in Barnard Hall room 123, can provide students inquiring about study abroad with information on all aspects. If you want to get a jump-start, check out the CIE’s website, as the 2013 Course Abroad Catalogue is now available.

That academic year leading up to my study abroad experience flew by and soon enough I was going out for tapas around the Plaza Mayor, embracing a new language and culture, and making connections around the globe. All of which seemed like just the daydream of a bored college student.

“All journeys have secret destinations of which the traveler is unaware,” said Martin Buber, essayist, translator, and editor. One of the best parts about studying abroad; it will likely reward you in ways you didn’t even think of. Had I not studied abroad, I would not be here trying to convince all of you to go out and get it, but don’t worry I have all semester for that!

As we bring in a new school year together, I hope to encourage each of you to embark on your own journey, big or small, to see what this beautiful world has to offer. For those of you that read my column ( a big thanks!), please bare with me- I promise to offer plenty of new information and plenty of stories.

I love any opportunity to talk study abroad, so if you have an experience that you’d like to share with us, please feel free to contact me! Questions or comments? [email protected] Twitter: @ireneyuk