During my semester abroad, I had the opportunity to visit 18 countries and 25 cities. These past few months have been a once-in-a-lifetime experience. Being abroad has definitely opened my eyes to different cultures around the world. I feel so much more confident traveling on my own, navigating public transport no longer seems like a challenge (no matter the country or city), and my taste palette has definitely expanded. I romanticized Italy when I first got here, and it genuinely lived up to my expectations. Everywhere I went was straight out of a painting.
One of the most transformative aspects of studying abroad has been the shift in how I view the world and my place in it. Traveling through so many countries, I’ve seen firsthand how different cultures approach life, community, and even time. It’s made me more empathetic, more curious, and more aware of the assumptions I carry. I’ve learned to listen more, observe more, and appreciate the nuances that make each place unique. This experience has expanded my worldview in ways that no textbook ever could.
I’ve also grown tremendously on a personal level. Being in unfamiliar environments taught me to trust myself, make quick decisions, and embrace uncertainty. Whether it was navigating a foreign metro system, ordering food in a language I barely spoke, or finding my way through a new city, each challenge became an opportunity to grow. I now feel more independent and capable, and I know these skills will serve me well in every part of my life moving forward. Overall, if you are someone debating studying abroad for any length of time… do it! I promise this experience is one everyone should have at least once in their life.
