As I am sure you have all noticed, I have no qualms about taking picture upon picture upon picture, but I have also tried hard to live in the moment.
I think that one of my biggest personal accomplishments has been developing the ability to navigate around London without the aid of Google Maps. I miss driving, and I miss my car terribly, but this semester has forced me to become quite comfortable with the different forms of public transportation, and for that I am grateful. It is such an important skill to have, and also a transferable one. I have found myself in various countries, each with their own transportation system, so knowing the basisc of how train lines operate makes it easy to adapt. I would also say my confidence has grown in terms of my ability to solo travel!
Overall, I would say that studying abroad is great for fostering independence and expanding your horizons. Meeting new people and learning about a culture different from your own can do wonders in understanding others' perspectives and viewpoints. Living in a new city for an extended period of time enables you to take your time exploring beyond what a normal vacation can offer. I cannot recommend studying abroad highly enough, and I would encourage you all to look into the possibiity when you start your college journey. Admittedly, a semester abroad typically comes with increased costs, which is why I was so grateful to be named a recipient of the Gilman International Scholarship Program. Not only did the Gilman Scholarship help to lift the burden of a semester abroad, but it also led me to Reach the World and your classroom! Who knows, maybe in a couple years you will be the one sharing your experiences to a class back home!
