Study Abroad In Three Words

Jul 21, 2019
3 min read

If I were able to choose three words to describe my study abroad, I think they would be far from traditional. I have chosen content, authentic, and present. While studying in Ireland over the last two months I’ve had highs and lows. I’ve learned things about the world and about myself that I didn’t even know I wanted to.

Coming here, people would often ask me, “What are you most scared for?” I was always puzzled with how to answer this question. I would respond that I wasn’t scared and that I didn’t have any anticipated lows, aside from missing my family, friends, and dogs. I wasn’t sure what to expect, but was ready to embrace whatever was to come.

This trip evolved into one that reached goals of mine that weren’t even on my radar. I came to Ireland expecting to see the world and experience the business place in another country. I did do that. I did get those experiences. But, what I didn’t expect was what was most rewarding.I can say that I am honestly leaving as a different person. While this sounds cliché, it’s anything but.

Over the course of this trip I have encountered hardships and have been filled with pride. I struggled with my mental health and feeling accepted. I did not bond with as many people within the program that I had anticipated. Yes, we shared this once in a lifetime opportunity. However, that didn’t mean that this, in reference to the relationships with people I was surrounded by, would last a lifetime. I thought it would, but then I realized that it didn’t have to. I didn’t have to make myself part of their group or change who I was to fit in. I could be myself and be a loner. That was okay. I’ve never felt so empowered by solitude. Of course, this took me my entire trip, 21 years, and seven countries to make this realization. I’ve uttered these words before, but they have never held this particular meaning to myself.

People will always criticize and say they would do things differently. However, they get to live their own life, in their own way. I get to make my own decisions on my own terms, and you do too. We do not need to apologize for doing things that make us happy or make us who we are. I am not sorry for being my authentic self. It is also important to note that I will not be the same person I was three years ago or myself three years from the present. But, in this moment, I am who I am. People change and grow according to their experiences and self-discovery. Change is a part of life. We all know this, and should expect this in ourselves, friends, and family as well.

I was empowered by my knowledge and confidence in various situations over my study abroad. I made so many friends, with most of them being local to the area. I am proud of myself for being able to simply start conversations with complete strangers, join a club without knowing anyone, asking questions about things I am unsure of, and for not saying no to a new opportunity. These are things that I have done before, but it was refreshing to do them again in a new environment.

To make these choices, I had to continually be present and engaged. I had to take things as they came, which is sometimes very difficult for me, seeing as how I like to hyper-plan every portion of my life. I had to handle this trait differently while in Ireland due to the cultural differences. The culture is not as sensitive to time nor as formal as in the USA. My patients were tested and I had to be culturally aware that certain things were acceptable. Just because it is not the way I grew up or do things, does not mean that is wrong. It is only different.

I could write papers on papers of the lessons I learned and new discoveries I made about myself. However, I find it difficult to fully articulate these, as they are more of a feeling rather than a fact that can be jotted down on paper.

All I can say is that while on this trip I learned to be content with my authentic self. What more could I ask for?