I spent my spring semester studying abroad at Sophia University in Tokyo. Every morning I woke up, sipped a bowl of miso soup, and made my way to the subway where I stood for over an hour, packed into the car much like a sardine in a tin can. I would make a series of three transfers before finally arriving at the university, located in the middle of Yotsuya, a district near the Imperial Palace.

Having been raised in Cleveland, Tenn., I found myself completely unprepared for one of the most cramped cities in the world. But as I adjusted to the seas of businessmen and kanji characters, I found I felt more in touch with humanity than ever. The sheer amount of energy surrounding me during rush-hour traffic remained a profound experience every day.

When asked what they think about "study abroad," most people immediately begin to describe the stereotypical image of a "Eurotrip" - unwashed college kids hopping on subways, sleeping in train stations and having late-night conversations in dingy hostels. Study abroad is more than that. Study abroad is about adopting a new lifestyle, engaging in the day-to-day activities of a culture different from your own.

Of course there are classes, credits and many of the same college conventions, but the truly important lessons come from seeing and understanding your own life in a different context. A liberal arts education is about being able to see the world from what can oftentimes be confronting perspectives, and there's no better way to learn how to do that than geographically separating yourself from life-long biases and assumptions.

I truly believe studying abroad is a journey every student should make. There's a lot of planning involved, and yes, you'll be away from the good old Vanderbilt Bubble for a whole semester, but the personal insights you'll gain will be well worth the effort. Most of us will graduate, join the workforce and go on a few great vacations. But rarely will we ever again have the opportunity to put our lives on hold and try a new one.

I was surprised to find I was the only Vanderbilt student in Japan last spring. I'm not saying Japan is the destination for everyone, but Tokyo is undoubtedly one of the biggest, most exciting and, honestly, strangest cities in the world, and I'm sure I'm not the only person who could benefit from living there.

That being said, Vanderbilt has a huge variety of programs in countries all the way from England to Beijing; there really is a destination for everyone. All you have to do is be brave, take a chance. It's a once in a lifetime opportunity, and I guarantee you'll never regret it.

Michael Young is a senior in the College of Arts and Science. He can be reached at michael.w.young@vanderbilt.edu.