At the end of a journey, there is lots to reflect on. Unpack, if you will. This word choice is mildly ironic as I am currently in Spain, in the process of repacking a semester of memories into my absurdly large bags.
While I wish I had a magic wand to get my suitcase to zip, study abroad has been magic enough for me. I know I will think of this chapter of my life often. It is by no means a perfect chapter, though; it’s still life. And everyone finds their own magic in different places and experiences.
Truthfully, I have had my share of difficult moments at Villanova, often feeling I didn’t quite belong. I have always dreamed of traveling the world, so I decided that studying abroad was the answer to all my problems, and once I’d made up my mind, there was no convincing me otherwise. I was going to do it all: become effortlessly fashionable, turn myself into an adventurous eater, overcome my fear of flying, travel every weekend.
Prospective study abroad student, here’s my biggest advice to you: Don’t travel every weekend. See a lot of places, yes. This was a big goal of mine and has been eye-opening in so many ways. But also create a home in your city- you’re going to need it. There will be homesickness and restless nights, but there will also be immense learning, joy and self-discovery. Before you know it, it’s time to pack your bags again (they will still be overweight, by the way). And without you even realizing, you will have grown and changed in ways you never expected.
You will find independence, self-assurance, a newfound adventurous nature, all of which will make you feel like you became an adult in the blink of an eye. These things can be cultivated anywhere, though. Something important to remember is that there are many ways to find yourself; study abroad is just one option. My best friend, who had originally planned to go abroad, realized later on that it was not the right path for her. She made an equally brave choice to the one I made to leave: she chose to stay as both her roommates flew thousands of miles away. This semester, I have watched her grow into a confident, poised leader, and she seems happier than ever. As long as we both feel so fulfilled when we reunite at long last, perhaps slightly more grown up than when we parted, then we both made the right choice. I am positive we did.
Though I have been far away from all I know that is familiar, the kindness I’ve experienced here has made me think we really do live in a small world. I see it every week in the classroom of 4-year-olds I work with. They help me learn Spanish as I help them learn English, often running up to greet me, proud to share the new English word they’ve mastered that week. I am constantly in awe of the love they so freely share with those around them: with me, with each other. Everywhere, wonderful kids like them are learning an unfamiliar second language with wide-eyed curiosity, then holding each other’s hands as they skip down the stairs for recess. Everywhere, strangers smile at each other in the street and stop to pet one other’s dogs.
Europe is special, but so is Bryn Mawr, Pa., New Jersey and every other place a person calls home. Sure, majestic centuries-old architecture and a growing postcard collection don’t hurt in a girl’s self-discovery journey. But the magic in the experience is, in the end, what the traveling and the adventures teach you. It has taught me that I am brave and capable and way more adventurous than I thought. It has also confirmed some things I already knew: the most important thing we can do is learn from one another, and kindness is the best thing that is universally human. Now, the time has come to pack everything up again, with dreams of a Mary Poppins-style suitcase dancing in my head. In 10 short days, I will board a plane, slightly less fearful of impending doom, and ready to bring all these lessons back home with me. And isn’t that really the coolest part of all?
