Top of the Spanish Steps in Rome
Surrounded by groups of people who already seem like they have a friend group and sitting in big classes where I don’t know anybody, I sometimes find it difficult to speak. Early in my time at ACU, I knew I wanted to go somewhere and venture out instead of just walking back and forth between my classes and my room. When our small introverted group got together at the pre-departure meetings and just kind of stared at the table instead of talking, I seriously considered what the next couple of months would be like.
After the long flight, we arrived at the house, lugged our suitcases up the stairs, and had just enough time to eat sandwiches in awkward silence before we had to run out of the house again. I’ll never forget the mixed feeling of independence and confusion as I took the 20 min walk back to our beautiful Victorian house on the cobblestones of Oxford next to people that I barely knew with my tiny tote bag stuffed with shampoo, groceries for the next week, and all my school supplies. Slowly we all began leaning on each other for directions and relating to each other through new experiences and memories. About two weeks in, something clicked, and I started running around the house and making inside jokes with people and felt like, for the first time since being in college, I finally had my personality back.
While I’ve had a lot of fun, I’ve noticed that I didn’t magically become the type of person who’s a go-getter and loves doing things and talking to everybody. Sometimes I still wanted to sleep in or didn’t feel like planning an outing for the day. In my mind, I was going to talk to locals and feel extremely comfortable everywhere I went, but I had to accept that isn’t who I am. However, I didn’t just accept that sometimes I wanted to do nothing. Of course, I gave myself some breaks, but I committed myself to (as cliche as it sounds) saying yes more often. I went on hikes in the Lake District, a Ceilidh dance in Scotland, an eating tour throughout Rome, and I have my train ticket to the King’s Coronation in London next week.
Study Abroad has allowed me to experience a new culture, feel independent, and see God working around me in the beautiful landscapes and little acts through the people I’m with. If you feel any pull to study abroad, go for it! In our group, only a couple people knew each other, and most of us weren’t even aware that the other people existed, so I promise you’ll make new friends! Don’t you want the opportunity to feel superior as you text your friends back home during a random week in February that instead of having classes, you’ll actually be spending the week hiking and writing poetry in the Lake District?! Above all, I’m glad that the opportunity to study abroad has allowed me to explore my personality. I just hope I can still keep talking to people when I get back to ACU… or maybe they should hope I can’t so I don’t keep mentioning how much I loved my time here.
Relaxing on the canal in Oxford while punting
A hike in Edinburgh
A pic I took of my friends hiking in the Lake District
A celebratory birthday tea party back at the house