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Using Study Abroad to Fulfill Your New Year's Resolutions

UC Merced Study Abroad Stories of Interest

Study Abroad could be your 2025 resolution. Event if it's not, it might be the catalyst to another personal resolution.

Clipart of a New Year's resolution checklistEven if applying to study abroad is not one of your 2025 resolutions, a study abroad experience and everthing involved in it could help you make significant progress to another common new year's resolution. Here are some achievable and meaningful self-improvement goals to inspire you:

Improve Language Skills: Commit to learning the local language or enhancing proficiency to navigate daily life and academics more confidently.

Ace Time Management: Develop better scheduling habits to balance classes, travel, and personal projects.

Keep a Journal: Document experiences, reflections, and academic progress in a dedicated journal.

Clipart of a "Goals" stickerEmbrace Cultural Immersion: Try a new cultural experience each week, like attending local festivals, cooking regional dishes, or learning traditional dances.

Conquer a Fear: Face a personal fear, like public speaking in the local language or navigating a new city alone.

Build a Global Network: Make friends from different cultural backgrounds and expand your worldview.

Start a Blog or Vlog: Share your study abroad journey online to inspire and connect with others.

Try a New Hobby: Learn something new that is specific to the country, like calligraphy, pottery, or martial arts.

Clipart of a dart hitting a bullseyeReduce Commute Carbon Footprint: Commit and habituate yourself to eco-friendly travel by using public transportation or micromobility.

Visit Historical Sites: Deepen your understanding of your host country’s history and the world by researching and exploring significant landmarks.

These resolutions target academic growth, personal development, and cultural exploration, aligning well with the transformative learning experience of studying abroad. No matter your resolution, we hope that it includes the opportunity to grow, to learn, and to connect more deeply with the rest of the world.

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Ready to apply? Head over to the MyStudyAbroad Portal to begin your find your progam and being your application today.