Junior Tom Braslavsky, a Hatchet columnist, encourages students to take time away from GW to study abroad.

Do it.

That’s the main advice I give to any GW students wondering if they should study abroad during their collegiate years. After spending the majority of 2010 outside the U.S. – in Israel to be exact – I can say confidently that studying abroad is a valuable experience that gives students useful skills, both tangible and intangible.

One of the most important aspects of the experience is language. Perfecting or improving one’s skills in a foreign language is always more fun and practical in a country of people who speak the language. It helps you gain confidence and use the language in social and everyday situations. Just be careful not to forget English.