It turns out, by the time my semester abroad was over and it was time to return home, my only question was: “How am I ever going to leave this place?”
It’s normal to second-guess your decisions.
Kelly O’Connell, a senior print journalism major who studied in Rome, says to ignore those doubtful feelings and just go. “Do it, no matter what,” O’Connell said. “It really is the best thing to do while you're in college.”
After I decided I was going to apply to study abroad, I immediately knew I wanted to go to Sydney, Australia. Ever since I saw the movie “Grease” for the first time, I knew I was bound to go “down under.”
My interest for Australia kept expanding as I learned more about it. The whole application process was mildly ridiculous. There were so many papers, forms and recommendation letters to fill out. It felt like applying to college all over again - a college across the world.
I was accepted into the AIFS Spring Semester Program 2008, which included two weeks in Fiji and then school in Sydney. I remember the night before I left I couldn’t sleep. I was so scared, anxious, nervous and excited. All I kept thinking was in two days I was going to be in a different country embarking on a completely new experience with an ultimate conclusion that was, at the time, unknown.
As one could guess, I had a huge breakdown as I arrived at LAX Airport. It was the stop over from New York to Fiji. I called my parents and my sister exclaiming that I couldn’t do it. I couldn’t go across the world by myself. My sister told me to find a place to eat in the airport, get out my computer, get my favorite food, and relax. The best decision I ever made in my life so far was “putting on my big girl panties,” finding a restaurant, relaxing, and telling myself I had to do this.
Arriving in Suva, Fiji was an experience in itself. The airport had no air conditioning in what felt like 120 degrees. Coming from New York in February, I was wearing pants, a jacket and a long sleeve shirt. Needless to say I was sweating, but it wasn’t just me. I soon saw the other 59 students who were in my program, just as sweaty and nervous as I was. That’s what’s most important to remember: the fact that everyone is in the same boat as you. It’s also the easiest time to make friends because everyone is looking for someone to hang out with when they are in a foreign place.
“Don't go with your roommate or your best friend,” O’Connell said, “You get the best experience when you meet all new people.”
The two weeks in Fiji was such a learning experience. Part of the AIFS program was living with a Fijian host family for a week and staying in a traditional Fijian village for two days. I hope the memories of living in these conditions stay with me forever. I met the nicest, kindest and most resourceful people.
There was one time I distinctly remember saying to myself, “Wow, I did it and I’m here.” It was while I was staying in the traditional Fijian village, dressed in traditional Fijian clothing for church. I didn’t realize that the rest of my trip was going to be full of moments where I would say the same thing to myself. For the remainder of my five-month trip, every single day I looked at my surroundings and at the people next to me, and said the same thing.
While in Australia, I lived in an apartment similar to the dorms we have here at Quinnipiac, only larger and with three Australian roommates. I met my best friend there, who I talk to every day, along with a group of my special abroad friends. For this fact alone, the people you meet and the bonds you make, everyone should study abroad.
By the end of my travels, I not only came home with a belly button ring, a second hole in my ear and a tattoo (which my parents were not thrilled about), but I also came home more mature, more experienced, and so thankful that I embarked on this journey.
Kevin Aries, a senior broadcast journalism major, did the Semester at Sea program. He is also thankful he went.
Do it, go abroad. Everyone always seems to say their biggest regret in college is not studying abroad,” Aries said.
So here’s my advice: don’t let not going abroad be your biggest regret.
5 comments
Great writing!