If you are anything like me, leaving home is a hard thing to do. There is a reason the saying "home is where the heart is" was created. I grew up in a quiet, sleepy suburban town where my summers were filled with late night games of flashlight tag and my school years were balanced between homework and community sports. When my parents encouraged me to apply to study abroad, I was hesitant to say the least. Looking back, I am eternally grateful I decided to do it. Although it was not always smooth sailing, it was not as difficult as I made it out to be. So for those of you who are contemplating studying abroad, but are more unsure, here is my advice to you:
1. Instead of painting the idea of living abroad with fear, frame it as an opportunity for adventure.
As the flight attendants closed the doors to my connecting flight from Dallas, TX to Frankfurt, Germany, my decision began to sink in, and I panicked a little. After all, four and a half months in a different country, on a different continent, all by myself was a big step. Instead of focusing on my fear of not making any friends or ending up with a bad host family, I decided to shift my perspective. By studying abroad, I received the opportunity of a lifetime! Very few people I know have had the chance to go abroad. I bet only half of my friends even have a passport. I got the chance to see parts of the world I had only caught glimpses of on the Discovery Channel. I needed to see this as a chance to walk where so much history has been written and to go on a journey that would ultimately help me grow and better envision the woman I wanted to become.
2. "This is your life, are you who you want to be? This is your life, is it everything you dreamed that it would be?"
Yes, I just quoted a Switchfoot song (and if you haven't heard of Switchfoot, do yourself a favor and Google them). I have been fortunate enough to travel around the United States several times with my family, but I never left the country. Being handed the opportunity to travel Europe and learn about the world outside my front door really opened my eyes to the life I was living, compared to the life I should be living. Going abroad spiked my ambition and my determination. Before I left, I would give a standard answer whenever an adult asked me what my plans were post graduation. Upon returning to the U.S., I have a better idea of what I am interested in doing. Taking four and a half months to travel and discover myself again helped clarify the direction I want my life to go. While I cannot tell what the future holds for me, I now have a clearer vision of my path and the type of attitude I should have towards life.
3. While it takes a lot of bravery and courage to take the plunge, the confidence you gain upon your return is immeasurable.
Before I left for study abroad, I was still figuring out what I was doing and where I was going. I was questioning my major and questioning my plan. I was unsure of myself and didn't feel as though I could make difficult decisions about my future yet. When I arrived home from my time in Germany, I realized I was a different person than when I left. I was more independent, more spontaneous, and much more confident. The adventures I had while galavanting around Europe have made me realize how strong of a person I have developed into. I was capable of surviving and thriving in a brand new environment without my family. I became more in tune with myself and was in a better position to start making the important life decisions that follow college graduation. Although I am not 100 percent ready to face the "real world," I definitely feel more prepared than before I left.
Taking a leap into the unknown is terrifying and stressful, but it is worth it. Assuming you have decided to take the plunge, write a letter to yourself at the beginning of the program. Discuss your expectations, your fears, your hopes, and your current thoughts and emotions. At the end of your experience, write another letter detailing your feelings at the conclusion. Then read both letters, and you will see the differences and the personal growth that occurs when you experience life abroad.
