Tales From aBroad
Study Abroad Summer 2019 – Leipzig, Germany
To think that education can only happen within the constraints of four walls is to undermine the power of the biggest classroom: the world. Even though our professors have years of education and experience, they are not the only educators you will run into when you are willing to understand that everyone has a little knowledge to share. Studying abroad in Leipzig, Germany was the opportunity for me to realize that I will never stop learning and that there is something new to discover every day.
Expectations – Leipzig Spring 19
Studying abroad was not the experience I expected it to be. Don’t get me wrong, it was GREAT– I’ll get to that– but as it turns out, there are quite a few things that people don’t really tell you about studying abroad.
The Moments I Least Expected – Spring 19
I spent time in London; Cardiff, Wales; Vienna, Austria; several locations in France, including Paris; Athens, Greece; Dublin, Ireland; Edinburgh, Scotland; Brussels, Belgium; many places in Germany; and then, all over northern Spain, including Madrid. It’s a mouthful. And saying the names don’t do even a little justice to my experiences there. So instead I want to focus on the ones that affected me the most, of which there were three.
Live for the Moment – Spring 2019
Study abroad taught me how to live for the moment and not for the future. It’s important to plan and save up, but at some point, it can get in the way of enjoying life. This spring was like taking a huge breath after years of running. It was a semester without working or overly stressing about intense classes. I got to focus on having fun and seeing more of the world. I’d always wanted to travel but never had the chance.
Growth – Oxford Spring 2019
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.
Do it Scared – Leipzig Spring 19
I could tell you a keynote version of all the reasons why I benefited from committing to months abroad. I could explain to you how I made the decision, the means by which I prepared, and how I packed. I could attempt to calm your fears by telling you I loved my experience in full. Instead, I desire to challenge you. Do it scared.
Spontaneous Decisions – Oxford Spring 19
Being a part of the spring of 2019 semester’s study abroad program was a last-minute decision, as were many, if not all, of my decisions and plans while studying abroad. You could say that it was an ongoing pattern of mine while abroad.
Be Where Your Feet Are – Leipzig Spring 19
Nine countries, twenty-two cities, thirteen students, and the most challenging, scary, and uncomfortable 110 days of my life. For those of you reading that and thinking, “Well, that doesn’t sound good,” – stay with me, I’m not near done describing what study abroad was for me.
Out of the Comfort Zone – Oxford Spring 19
For the Spring semester of 2019, I decided to take a leap of faith and make the journey to Oxford, England. My department in Journalism and Mass Communication was offering classes and scholarships to students like me to spend a semester in Europe. I still had a lot of questions, but I quickly realized that this unique opportunity to study abroad could not have come at a better time. Things were falling right into place.
Being Fearless – Oxford Fall 18
This past semester, I had the opportunity to study abroad in Oxford, England, and that was the best decision of my life. I got to live in England, but I also got to travel to so many places. I went to Bath, England, where Jane Austen lived for a few years. I got to tour Edinburgh, and see the Highlands of Scotland. I got to hike in the Lake District where William Wordsworth drew inspiration. I got to travel to Greece…
I am so glad I studied abroad in China because it changed my view of Asian cultures and has even made me consider going back. I definitely recommend stretching yourself and going to a place you never imagined yourself being in because you’ll learn a lot about yourself and about the world.
A huge “THANK YOU!” to the Honor’s College for giving me a Travel Grant and lessening the financial burden of Study Abroad! This semester would not have been possible without you!
You cannot remain unchanged after a journey such as this. God is constantly shaping and refining us to be more Christ-like ambassadors for His kingdom. I am not the same person who left Dallas, and with God’s grace, I have a new appreciation and understanding for engaging His global mission.