Studying abroad was the best decision I have ever made and I encourage everyone to embrace this opportunity if they have the chance. Travelling opens up you're eyes to different cultures, lifestyles and makes you value your life back at home. With that being said, there are obstacles study abroad students still have to tackle.
The biggest obstacle for me is missing my friends and family. You can't help but think about what memories are being made without you back home. College is a special time in a person's life and being abroad makes you realize how little time you have left with your friends at school. I am extremely lucky to have a group of friends that I consider family and will keep in contact with long after we graduate. I am going to cherish every moment senior year, whether that is in the classroom or the dorm room.
I miss my family but I am forever grateful that they let me have this amazing (expensive) opportunity. The great thing about family is they will always be there no matter if you are three or 3,000 miles away. I remember being an incoming freshman at Welcome Day and I went to a study abroad panel with my parents. I looked over to my Mom and said "That is one thing I will never do." It's amazing what two years can do. Without my parents and grandparents, I would of never done this; I was timid and did not think I was ready to start over again, but I am glad I did.
The last two weeks, I have been traveling all around Europe. I have been to Germany, the Netherlands, Ireland and Spain. Life for me right now is care-free, my course load is basically non-existent, and my job right now is to adventure and have fun. I will most likely never get the chance to travel Europe for four months ever again. Every day I wake up and realize I'm not in Easton or Waterbury and I have no routine. I enjoy every second of this experience. It is riveting to live a normal day-to-day life in a completely different culture.
I am not trying to sound homesick or upset, just nostalgic. I feel so different at the age of 20 then I did at 18. I am much more confident and self-aware and I think going abroad has only helped me in that area. I am proud of myself for following through with this, but more than anything, it has made me value relationships with friends and family. Studying abroad ends, college ends, but life goes on and that is a beautiful thing.
