Before leaving for study abroad (and leaving the country for the first time…ever), I often compared what I thought my experience would be like to a scene in my favorite movie-Tangled. It’s the moment when Rapunzel decides to jump from her tower, and is struggling to make her descent. For those who haven’t seen it, here is what she said:
“Look at the world so
close, and I’m halfway to it!
Look at it all so big, do I even dare?
Look at me, there at last!
I just have to do it
Should I? No. Here I go…”
Eiffel Tower, France
Thinking back to the day I flew into Paris, I remember this thought constantly running through my head. The world felt so big, and when riding through the city, I felt so very small.
Genoa, Italy
What I think I’ve come to realize the most, and what I think a lot of people who study abroad realize as well, is that we continue to feel small. I had this grand idea that I knew what I was getting myself into when I decided to study abroad, but I had no clue, looking back at it.
Oia, Greece
The friendships I formed over a small amount of time, the places I saw, and the heart-break I felt as the plane taking me to the US left the ground could never have been planned, or even imagined.
Cinque Terre, Italy
Before I left, a friend told me that I should fall in love while abroad. I’m pretty sure they meant to say that I should fall in love with another person while abroad, but instead of doing that, I fell in love with adventure, and the person I am when I decide to take advantage of adventure. I think that’s possible for every one of us.
Rome, Italy
So if you’re doubting whether or not you want to study abroad, my advice is to just do it. I was extremely doubtful to do it at first, but now, just two days after the finish of my trip, I already want to go back.
Èze, France
I guess the good thing is that there’s always more adventures to be had.
Mykonos, Greece