The most important thing I have learned about myself on this trip is that I can be a responsible adult. Living away from home, while in College Station with roommates, is one thing, but living in a foreign country, away from home, is something completely different. While in Strasbourg, we were responsible for taking the tram to school every morning, figuring out groceries in French, booking trains across countries, and navigating airports in different countries. I became more self-reliant on my abilities and gained confidence in myself. I also became more trusting of others by traveling with people whom I had just met to other countries during the weekend. If a group of people wanted to go to the same place, we would just book an Airbnb or a hotel together and travel with one another. I learned that although I may not know everyone on the trip or the people around me to a certain extent, I can be myself and create friendships along the way. Some of my favorite memories from my study abroad trip were with people whom I didn’t even know going into the trip.
This trip has also taught me about different cultures and how to respect and understand them when put in uncomfortable situations. I learned to be culturally intelligent through my time spent abroad. I had come to understand that I enjoy learning about different cultures and showing others that I truly mean to respect them and want to grow an understanding of their different way of life. Whenever I was in an Uber, at a restaurant, or even sitting next to someone on the metro, I would try and strike up a conversation with people around Europe. The people in Europe are just as curious about Americans as we are about Europeans and want to learn about more than just New York City (Everyone wears New York merchandise there). I learned that I am curious about the world outside of the United States and want to experience all the different kinds of life outside of it. It is because of this study abroad experience that I am more responsible, trusting, adventurous, and culturally intelligent. I see myself and my future in a new light after this summer’s life-changing experience.
