_As you guys know, I myself am on a study abroad program in Grahamstown, South Africa and my partner in crime, The Sexretary, is on a study abroad program in Australia (Sydney, right?). It’s been fun for the both of us, but not yet complete, as I have not shot a lion or ridden an elephant, and she has not been attacked by sharks while surfing or mailed me a koala bear.

_But, through all of our various wildlife disappointments, we have been communicating quite a lot, with a Facebook message thread that’s getting close to 70 messages sent back and forth. Which, for a Facebook message thread, is pretty epic.

_One of the things that we’ve talked about is how people will say “Studying abroad was the best experience of my life” and we will disagree. We have yet to see it, even though we’re both sticking it through to the end.

_Personally, my disappointment comes from the fact that Grahamstown, South Africa really isn’t that different from any small college town in America. Honestly, this could be PSU or Colgate or any other town built around a school. Sure they have donkey carts here, but that’s not really all that shocking, especially after seeing a couple students renting one out and riding it like a chariot back to campus (I was kinda jealous, though). I can’t speak for The Sexretary, but if she feels the need to elaborate, she will rant on.

_But, that doesn’t mean others shared that same disappointment. I for one was very jealous that my brother Lee got to go on a trip to Spain while in eighth grade and I did not. I also am sure that there are tons of you out there who would love to visit South Africa while I am here bitching that it’s not all that I expected it to be. Well, not yet. I’m going to Cape Town in about a week and a half, so God willing I will get swept up into the blood diamond trade and post many stories about my scandalous adventures in the black market.

_So, this is an open call to agree or disagree with either the quote I’ve posted above or my denial of it. Or, if you never got a chance to go abroad, were you disappointed by that or not? Let us know your opinions. Study abroad is a wonderful thing and, even though I am for the time being a little let down (mainly because I miss my friends back home and my car), I am very glad that my school required it of me. So what do you guys think?

_Either leave us comments or send longer submissions inline to thedigitalscene@yahoo.com with the words “Study Abroad” in the subject line. Once I get a couple of replies I will compile them into an epic post your responses.

- Kid