When you think about studying abroad, it seems like a confusing decision. Can I live my life without having gone abroad? Will I be missing out if I stay / go? After pondering for months, the list of positives and negatives seems to meet somewhere in the middle at the thought: if not now, when? Spend a semester in a foreign country -- aka, take a semester long vacation filled with legal drinking and travel? HELL YES!
It isn't easy to leave the people you love behind, and venture out into the unknown on your own, but you are ready to begin to embrace that nagging part of your brain which aches to visit all of the places you scroll past on Instagram. You decide to take a step in the direction of conquering the world, or at least that's what it feels like. Then, when you finally land in your respective country you feel overwhelmed with a plethora of emotions ranging from pure joy to extreme fear. However, after just a few weeks you realize something: you've changed in more ways than you thought you ever could have imagined, and you will continue to do so even after you return home.
(Cue all my study abroad friends LOL- ing at this article because apparently 'There's always the one who writes about study abroad!' ... deal with it... you guys can't deny this will give you the feels. Cue the folk music and bring on the tears.)
Living in another country produces several changes to your body. For example, here in Costa Rica I have been eating rice and beans every day and have definitely given my host families sewage system a workout (and yet 'gallo pinto' keeps you wanting more). On the bright side, my once ghostly pale skin has transformed into a somewhat golden-leathery-freckled (and more attractive?) exterior.
However, like I said, the most important and transformative changes you experience are going to be personal and lasting. Your friends become your family after just a few days, and you bond with them in ways you didn't think could be possible in such a short amount of time (then... the real bonding is knowing each others' poop schedule).
You met people who impacted you, who live and work in ways you aren't used to, or who have traveled the world and saw places you dream of visiting. People who inspire you to be your true self, who made you feel beautiful and loved, and laughed at your jokes out of pity (at least they laughed). When you had those rough moments, they reminded you how lucky you are to have been given this opportunity to grow in such a unique way at the end of the day, you have taught each other that the most important thing you can always do to keep moving forward is to simply love yourself as you would another.
Maybe it was the new culture, new people, the alcohol, the funky clothes, the architecture, the language, or even the food; but there is something about forcing yourself to live outside box which leads you to truly discover your full potential.
All of those moments you regretted from freshman year, the nasty things you said, the money you spent (or didn't), the time you thought you wasted, or whatever it was that put weight on your shoulders; those things stopped mattering. You learned how to let the little things go, to live in the moment and appreciate every last second of it.
Life is in fact, a collection of moments.
The most memorable ones will be the ones that change you for the better. Sometimes, when you share a moment with another person, it becomes an everlasting bond which will transcend communication and distance.
That is the true beauty of taking a chance like Study Abroad - you are not alone in your conquest for self-love and exploration.
All those eye opening moments, personal revelations and experiences will go with you everywhere and continue to grow with you every step you take.
When it is time to come home, you realize that the place you called 'home' becomes a place to reflect and be with loved ones. Living and learning has become your passion and the people who fill your memories and took part in your experiences will always be there.
You realize your true home has been in your heart all along: loving yourself.
So... if you follow your heart, you will always have your home no matter where you go.
To all those who made my last four months here the most incredible experience of my 21 years of life, 'thank you' does not even do justice for the gratitude I feel to have spent the last four months in this beautiful country with all of you.
I guess this article isn't just a "Love Letter to My Study Abroad Experience", it is in fact a love letter to those who I grew with and who have inspired me in so many ways over this trip.
This ending is really just another beautiful beginning. So, I'll be seeing you guys soon...
And if any of you cried you owe me a chili guaro shot. :)
Love,
Carli
