Since I was accepted into the SU Abroad Hong Kong program, I have had the same conversation with multiple people. I tell them I will not be in Syracuse next semester and, with mild interest, they ask me where I will be studying abroad.

When I answer “Hong Kong,” their jaw drops and their eyes widen. They make some sort of comment about how far away and different Hong Kong is.  Some even say they assumed I was going to London or Florence or Madrid or somewhere else in Europe.

Not everyone I’ve spoken to has had this same reaction, but my question for the people who do is the same — why is “abroad” synonymous with Europe? London, Florence, Madrid, Strasbourg, Wroclaw and the rest of the European sites are wonderful places, but they are not the only overseas destinations.

Furthermore, why are some people only mildly interested in my travel plans when they assume that I am going to Europe, and then shocked and fascinated when they hear that I will be in Asia? Why do they assume that Hong Kong is any more astonishing or intriguing than any big European cities? Traveling the world is an eye-opening and fulfilling experience regardless of where a person chooses to go. I will learn a lot during my time in China, and I am very excited about the experience, but someone who goes to Europe can learn just as much.

Hong Kong is a lot farther away than a European destination, and some people cite this reason for their shock at my decision. Functionally, however, its distance does not mean it is more inaccessible. Once you have to cross an ocean to get somewhere, it’s already far from home. The few extra hours of flight don’t make that much of a difference.

Sure, American culture is more similar to European culture than to Asian culture. However, both regions offer culture shock, and the significance of Europe’s cultural differences should not be diminished. The experience of immersing yourself in a different culture is valuable regardless of how different that culture is.

Every student I know who has studied abroad tells me it was one of the best experiences of his or her life. This holds true for Europe and for other regions of the world. Europe has a rich heritage and a lot of cities that attract students. However, other areas of the world have those things as well. Hong Kong offers a bustling city environment, eclectic shopping and dining experiences, a vibrant nightlife, scenic hikes and even beautiful beaches. Those are just some of the reasons I am looking forward to going there. What more could a student want while abroad?

It is worth noting that most students do choose to study in Europe. The National Association of International Educators reports that more than 304,000 students studied abroad in the 2013-14 school year. Of that number, 53.5 percent of them chose European destinations. The people who assume I’m going to Europe probably think of these students when they hear the word “abroad,” but when they do that they are neglecting a number of other popular study abroad destinations. Of the 193 member states that the United Nations recognizes, it classifies only 53 as European countries. That leaves 140 other countries to explore, and the SU Abroad office offers center programs in Chile, Turkey and China.

There is no reason to assume that the only place for students is Europe. I would urge anyone to consider all of his or her options when thinking about going abroad. Florence, Madrid and London are beautiful cities, but they are not the only ones out there, despite what many people may think.

Claire Moran is a junior broadcast journalism and international relations double major. Her column appears weekly. You can email her at clmoran@syr.edu.

Published on January 27, 2016 at 11:29 pm