If you’re reading this, it is likely that you are already on the edge. Maybe you just graduated from college and are not sure what comes next. Maybe whatever plan you had in mind didn’t come to pass. Maybe your current job did not meet your expectations. Wherever you are now in life, you can't help but feel that a change is on the way. A life of adventure, excitement and purpose is waiting for you outside of the cubicle. It's now or never, it's time to take the plunge and go abroad!

Now you’re at the point where you Google random destinations and look for opportunities overseas. Maybe you know exactly what part of the planet you want to be on. More likely, you’ll read blogs, postings, random reviews of just about any locale and wonder if you have what it takes to take the plunge into a somewhat unconventional experience. Well, you do – or most of you do. The question is whether or not you will act on this potential, whether you will take the risks necessary to make your life more fulfilling.

Let’s face facts, life is short. If you are lucky enough to be in a position where you do not have life anchoring responsibilities, taking time to live overseas should be considered a requirement. I would also argue that challenging yourself through travel should occur when you are young enough to enjoy and learn from it. May people feel travel should be the norm for retirees and a luxury for everyone else, but in today’s world that notion is not only false but an incredible waste of potential and resources.

Depending on your skill set, teaching, volunteering or studying abroad are wonderful ways to travel. You will both learn and make a contribution to another society. Make no mistake, living abroad is not always easy– most valuable growth opportunities aren’t. You must be realistic and prepared for some ups and downs. Most people who live abroad experience culture shock in some form. Ultimately, however, you will be rewarded greatly. Have you ever heard someone look back and say they regret time spent abroad?

If you have the means to take the plunge, or the economy has made the decision for you, make the most of the short time we have on earth and visit as much of it as you can. Best of luck and share your thoughts below!