To study abroad near or far?

While browsing through the different study abroad programs offered at NC State, it came to my attention that many students chose to study abroad without going all the way across the world. Some students find it more economical to simply study abroad by traveling a little further south to Central America or even South America. It is fairly cheaper to do this and the currency exchange is a lot more pleasant. Walker Petty, an NC State alumni in Business Entrepreneurship with a Minor in Spanish, raved about his summer study abroad trip to Peru two years ago. Looking back on his college career, he raves that his study abroad experience is one of the best memories he has from college. It was cheaper to fly south to Peru than it would have been to fly all the way to Europe. Another reason why he wanted to travel to Peru was because he wanted to be immersed in a culture that would help him sharpen his Spanish speaking skills and hopefully become fluent. He didn't have to travel all the way to Spain to do this.

Walker Petty hiking Machu Picchu in Peru

While this program worked out well for Walker Petty, I do not have the same interests as he does. I am not particularly focused on becoming fluent in the Spanish language and this program primarily focuses on language skills. I also think it would be better for me to travel to Europe while I can and am in college because later on down the road, it will be easier and cheaper to travel South to Central or South America.

Here is a link to another students blogged experience on the Peru Study Abroad Trip at NC State:
NCSU Peru Blog