I know that you see all the cliché signs around campus begging students to study abroad and probably think it’s lame. You’ve heard stories from study away alum who tell you how life changing their experience was and probably think they’re being dramatic; I was skeptical myself. I couldn’t have been anymore wrong about second guessing how truly transformative studying abroad would be. I know that my time in Ireland made me a better person.

The week before my flight left I remember waking up in the middle of the night and having second thoughts about whether I could handle living in a foreign country by myself. I thought to myself, “what am I doing, is it too late to cancel the flight?” I’m typically a shy person and was feeling worried I’d have a hard time making close friends. Since I am very close with my family I was also nervous about getting homesick. That same week, my Alex and Ani bracelet of a four leaf clover that I had ALWAYS worn broke. I even tried telling myself that was a sign of bad luck and that I shouldn’t go. A week later despite my nerves, I was finally feeling ready for this adventure.

Once I got over the obstacle of getting there, I realized how incredible this experience was about to be. I immediately fell in love with Ireland and their people. Within a short amount of time, Dublin was starting to feel like a second home. Between the countless pints of Guinness, I finally got some time to think about how this country was changing me. I took a leap of faith and came to a new country ready to explore. I kept an open mind as I met new people, visited new places, and learned about cultures I had never experienced. I found myself wandering off on Dublin city streets striking up conversations with locals, walking into pubs by myself and even confidently giving others directions. I can't remember the last time I willingly talked to a stranger in Philadelphia. Feeling so welcomed by the Irish people made me want to give others that same warm feeling when they meet me.

From this experience I gained best friends that I otherwise would have never been around. The study abroad program pretty much forced us all to be together all the time. This group of people was full of so many different personalities and backgrounds. In a different setting, I can bet that none of us would have even interacted with each other. From climbing mountains together, learning Irish slang, and shutting down pubs to have our own jam session ( and keeping them open past closing), these people became like a family to me.

This new group of friends made me realize how often I am too close minded and don’t give people a chance. We’re so used to being around people who are exactly like us. Step outside of your comfort zone. Get to know people that are different from you. Learn from them.

Surrounded by mountains and sea cliffs, I felt how big our world really is. So many of us are stuck in one small part of it our entire lives. I felt so lucky to be out there seeing some of the most beautiful places in the world. Things that I cared so much about at home didn't seem to really matter here. Being in another country really forces you to live in the moment. Theres no planning ahead here because everyday you find something new to explore. You find yourself falling in a love with a city that suddenly feels like a part of you.

I knew that I would never truly be able to describe the beauty I saw in Ireland to my friends and family at home. I knew they would never really understand just how much my study abroad trip meant to me. I knew that these memories would stay with me forever.

Almost two years later, I still think about Ireland every single day. I am constantly thinking about when I can return to Ireland, and am even hoping to intern there this summer.Studying abroad made me realize how much happiness can be found by seeing a new place and meeting new people.I am grateful for the way my experience has shaped me into a better person. Post abroad, I feel confident in being on my own and ready to take on new adventures. If you have the chance to go abroad, TAKE IT. You’ll learn more about yourself and others than you could ever imagine.