My study abroad experience encompassed so many more things than I could’ve ever imagined before I left. I traveled a lot, learned a ton, and experienced things and places, unlike anything I could’ve ever seen in the United States. One of the most random, but practical things, that I learned while studying abroad was how to pack. Being someone that would have defined themselves as a serious over-packer, having to be confined to a backpack for a four-day trip to another country seemed terrifying at first. However, with the help of some of my friends that were seasoned travelers, I learned very quickly that I did not need most of the things I thought I did, and I can now live comfortably out of a backpack for several days. Traveling also gave me confidence in my ability to travel in the future. I had never flown without an adult, so conquering airports, security, and transportation to and from the airport was initially difficult, but I can now say I am a very comfortable flyer and traveler. My favorite place I traveled to was Iceland, and I can happily say it is one of my favorite places in the entire world. We got to go to a lagoon, walk on a frozen lake, and eat the best hot dogs I have ever tasted in my entire life. I would recommend anyone travel there if they got the chance.
Studying abroad wasn’t all about travel, however. I learned a lot socially and academically while living in Oxford. The courses I took really helped to educate me on British culture and really encouraged me to be up to date on the current political and social climate of the UK. They also helped me to dive deeper into what makes British culture so rich. I thoroughly enjoyed a course I took on the life of C.S. Lewis because we were able to visit his home and physically see where his inspiration came from. Being in a place with so much academic history meant that we were able to go on several of these trips, and being able to see where people like Wordsworth lived and got his inspiration from was an amazing opportunity.
Being in Oxford itself was an experience all on its own. It was amazing to be surrounded by students that wanted to learn just as much as you did. One of my favorite things was eating at local coffee shops and overhearing conversations about career goals and employment. I felt like I was constantly surrounded by people that were just as ambitious as I was, and just as willing to put in the effort. While I was originally terrified to spend 4 months away from all of my close friends and family, it quickly became home and everything became normal to me. Returning to the United States made me realize how much I have grown as an adult and how much more confident I felt in my abilities to make big decisions and chase my dreams, and for that, I am grateful.
