Being in an unfamiliar place allows you to explore outside of your bubble. When I first went to Oktoberfest, I met a couple of people who were from the Netherlands and they talked to me all about the importance of pushing outside your comfort zone. I embraced that advice and it made me want to do more and to say "yes" to new things which greatly enhanced my study abroad experience. I also had to schedule my own doctor's appointments, open my own bank account, learn the local transit system, work in groups at school with people who come from all over and more. When you are navigating a new place, you understand how you handle things, what truly are your core values, and expand your ability to adapt.
Munich provided experiences that I did not have available in my car-dependent town. Transit is limited, making involvement in evening clubs and social events difficult and expensive in Starkville. Munich's extensive transit system allowed me to fully embrace college social life. I joined the running, yoga, and international clubs at my host school, and I frequently attend events at the Olympiazentrum. I am rarely at my dorm now. I also enjoyed major festivals like Frühlingsfest and music festivals. I also got to visit Austria, Berlin, and the Netherlands.
I am so grateful for this journey and the opportunity to meet you all. I initially did this virtual exchange for my Gilman scholarship, however I wanted to write about my experience abroad even before I knew about Reach The World. I hope you all will look into studying abroad. You do not have to do a whole year like I did. Universities provide programs for everyone—a week, a summer, or even just one semester.
