On Jan. 21, 2014, I took a leap of faith and left the United States on my own for the first time. I was incredibly scared, excited and nervous—all at the same time. Before then, Atlanta was the furthest I had gone without my family. The thought of going to a land over 4,000 miles away, in which I knew no one, was terrifying yet exhilarating.
I’ve been hooked on traveling ever since visiting family in Canada at a young age. The entire experience, from flying to exploration, captivates me. This deep interest in travel and foreign culture led me to study abroad.
Preparing for an education in another country is no easy task. Over the course of a year, I researched different locations, programs, costs, tips and tricks, do’s and do not’s, and classes to take. Convincing my worried mother I wouldn’t be in grave danger was easily on of the most difficult part. Once I had assured her I wasn’t at risk of being kidnapped, I was able to choose a destination—the United Kingdom.
Traveling to the U.K. had always been on my bucket list due to my British heritage. Though my grandmother was born in the U.S., she and her British parents returned to Scotland when she was quite young. As a result, my family is well in-touch with our roots.
Despite having thoroughly prepared myself for departure, nothing could ready me for leaving my family and closest friends behind. I was an emotional wreck—a mix of thrill and heartache—the days before leaving. Despite all the teary goodbyes, full-fledged excitement came over me as soon as I stepped foot on the plane. Passport in hand, I was ready.
My first few days in Sunderland were spent attempting to retain orientation info in a jetlagged fog. Thankfully, four of my flatmates were also American exchange students, so we powered through the mild culture shock together.
My flatmates and fellow exchange students were my rock over the course of my six-month stay. If there is anything you’re guaranteed to take away from studying abroad, it’s lifelong friendships. Between the train rides, chasing down the university bus, pub crawls and late nights in the city centre, I’m glad my newfound friends were by my side.
Studying abroad was one of the best decisions I’ve made during my college career. If you know me at all, you’re bound to hear me talk about it pretty extensively. During time abroad, you come across people from different walks of life and perspectives. By the time you’re on your flight back home, you’ve tasted exciting foods, seen inspiring monuments, learned new ideas and likely caught another wanderlust bug. It’s an experience many dream about, but few actually live.
