Eight days from now, I will be on my flight home from studying abroad.
Before leaving, I asked almost everyone I knew who had embarked on the same experience millions of questions. I listened for any advice, lessons or tips, figuring that I could provide the same wisdom.
If I’m being honest, studying abroad has not made me a beacon of knowledge.
Contrary to my preconceived notions, going abroad did not solve all of my problems. It did not make me a perfect person. It didn’t even teach me how to enjoy red wine.
Because of the grandeur of studying abroad, I found it helpful to pay attention to the seemingly small stuff. So, while I’m certainly unfit to declare myself an expert by any means, here are some lessons I’ve learned along the way.
No, you do not need to spend all of your money.
I am fortunate to say that studying abroad has been the first time in my entire life when finances have been at the forefront of my mind. I understand how lucky I am to be able to admit this.
I was well aware of expenses, specifically from weekend trips, that would be spent during my time away. However, learning to balance groceries, basic amenities and transportation has obviously been incredibly stressful.
“You’ll never go abroad again, so just buy it,” is a phrase tossed around with comforting intentions, but one that has never offered me much solace.
No, you do not need to come back with your pockets empty as tangible proof of having had a good time. Learning to say “no” to certain things in an effort to save money is a lesson from freshman year that has certainly resurfaced, but one that has become effectively learned this time around.
Build your community and lean on it.
When my laptop broke down without warning, during the midterm week of study abroad, I thought my life was over. I knew that on top of my already expensive existence in Rome, I was surely going to have to make a massive purchase just to get through school.
When I shared my circumstances with my professor, I was merely trying to explain why I couldn’t complete the homework. Before I could finish my sob story, I was being led to a technology service store nestled into a corner of the city. Immediately, my professor negotiated a fair price for my repair and got me my computer back within two days.
I came to Rome entirely unaware of just how important my professors, my friends, local shop owners and many more people would become in helping me find my footing here. Independence will come with time, but learning to lean on others is a skill that has to be practiced and embraced.
Find your own familiarity.
Ever since my high school Latin class, I had known I wanted to study abroad in Rome. My teacher at the time spoke of his time in Italy with such nostalgic adoration, and I was immediately dreaming of the opportunities I hoped to experience one day.
Something that has helped me carve out corners of familiarity here is remembering these stories and retracing the steps of so many people in my life who have loved the city I have grown to love so much.
While I was eager to embrace the uniqueness of my home base, I found similar excitement in seeing a Villanova flag in the papal crowd, a Boston Red Sox hat being worn by a passerby or even an iced coffee spot tucked into Trastevere.
New experiences are important, but bridging these experiences to home only enhances new places.
Embrace being challenged.
All my life, I’ve had a knack for finding bubbles. Places where I feel confident in my capabilities and sheltered from various inconveniences have been my experience both within my hometown and in college. I knew that when I went abroad, I wanted something different.
Rome has tested me in almost every way imaginable. No one is holding my hand here, and navigating such a massive bustling city has provided its fair share of challenges.
Learning to hold my own in a new place has undoubtedly fostered a sense of capability I have never felt before. Seeking out challenges helps in the long run, and you’ll be shocked at your own abilities to hurdle obstacles that are thrown your way.
Always be kinder than you feel.
Some days, you’re going to be ziplining in the Swiss Alps, wondering how life could get better. Other days, the clock will hit 5 a.m., you’ll be on hour 48 of being awake at the Malta airport, and the spark of saving 30 euros by booking an early-morning flight wanes.
The allure and charm of abroad ebbs and flows. At the end of the day, life goes on, and the novelty of a place may not always compensate for normal human feelings.
When everything seems as if it is going wrong, it is crucial to be kinder than you feel.
It’s so easy to get wrapped up in your own struggles that you forget just how far being kind can get everyone else around you. If you’re on a delayed flight, so are nearly 100 other people.
More often than not, your struggles are not unique. Learning to push your inconveniences aside and express kindness will get you much further in life every time.
Unpacking it all.
You never really know just how much you’ve grown until you stop and look back. It’s so easy to get caught up in looking forward to new places, bucket list items and the novelty abroad has to offer.
If you can, find some time to keep looking back. Look back at the places you have been to, what you’ve seen, who you’ve met and the many lessons you’ve learned along the way.
Traveling offers an unparalleled education, and you’d be surprised by how capable you are of leaping.
