The power of a semester abroad
The idea of doing a semester abroad was always something that seemed inviting to me. I love travelling and I love exploring new opportunities, so why not make a semester out of it?
The idea was one thing, but the actions required to make it actually happen were something else entirely. It all seemed rather far-fetched and, as a result, it was often put aside on my to-do list.
It wasn’t until Christmas break of my third year that my father told me to figure it out.
“Either do an exchange or not, because this might be your only opportunity to do so,” he said.
The next day was the start of my journey and, eight short months later, I arrived in Hong Kong. The four months that followed were some of the best of my life.
Travelling as a tourist is a great way to see new places, but living in Asia is a whole different experience.
I have never been as engaged in a new culture as I was when living in a suburban town in a foreign country. English characters were few and far between and I was one of the few non-local residents in the whole town.
One of the first things I learned on my exchange was how to be more independent.
Studying in a new country with complete strangers presents many opportunities to increase independence.
Not only was I by myself, but, in China, I was without the immense social media world that connected me with everyone back home.Both the lack of service and time differences were factors that introduced me to a new life of independence and, as cliché as it sounds, it led to personal development as well.
Most of my buddies teased me when I came back, asking if I had “become a new person” and, honestly, I did. I instantly matured and got a better grasp on living by myself. I learned lessons that changed my way of life, such as taking risks and how to deal with challenging scenarios.
After a series of very unfortunate events, I was without a phone for several weeks and, although at first I could not have been more upset, I was able to appreciate my surroundings a lot more and recognize new cultures from a different lens.
A huge realization I had throughout the semester was dealing with cross communication and how to communicate in scenarios with no common language—especially in mainland China, where not only are there no English characters, but no desire from the locals to understand you. While having the opportunity to observe new cultures, I realized that after more time away from home, I started to see my own culture from a new perspective as well.
There is a whole other world outside of North America and, after studying abroad for a semester, I realized how much there is to see.I was lucky enough to do some additional traveling during my exchange and, if anything, it made me realize how vast the world really is. Four months in a new country has certainly given me a new perspective on the world and the importance of travel, and has definitely given me the ambition to do more.
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The aspiration to learn a new language
Ninety-five per cent of the students at my host university were from outside of North America and knew at least two languages—their native language, English, and often one more.
The desire to travel
After getting a taste of exploring new countries and seeing what the world has to offer, I was diagnosed with severe travel bug. Seeing people backpack through Asia and the stories they shared left me wanting to do it all myself. Even more than just the desire to travel, it left me with the desire to relocate at some point in my life. Whether it be a different city or country, I want to do more than just live in one place my whole life.
The ambition to try something new
Whether it’s at school, at work, or in my personal life, I want to continue this feeling of new experiences and exploring what life has to offer.
The appreciation of the little things
There were some rough experiences in my travels, but wherever we ended up, we managed to make the best of it; whether it was in a dirty hostel in the middle of Vietnam or lost in downtown Tokyo, we were still with good company and could get a beer somewhere close.
Appreciating good friends and being healthy was a common occurrence, which is something I often take for granted at home. Appreciating my life at home too is something I quickly recognized. I never realized how much I took for granted having clean water and working utilities.Ever since returning home from my semester abroad, I am constantly thinking about how much fun I had, or what my next adventure is going to be. Spending four months in a new country and having the opportunity to see new parts of the world are things I might never have the chance to do again.
By signing up for a semester abroad, I had the opportunity to forge life-long memories and make friendships that will be with me for a long time. I was exposed to cultures and lifestyles that opened my eyes and led to a new perspective on the world. Most importantly, I grew as a person. I learned more about myself than could ever have been possible staying on campus.
My father was right, my exchange was literally a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, and I couldn’t have appreciated it more. If there was one thing I could recommend to any undergraduate, it would be to do a semester abroad.
As celebrity chef Anthony Bourdain says, “If you’re 22, physically fit, hungry to learn and be better, I urge you to travel—as far and as widely as possible. Sleep on floors if you have to. Find out how other people live and eat and cook. Learn from them—wherever you go.”
Photos by Nicholas Perdec