Roughly four months ago, I landed in Budapest, Hungary, unsure of what to expect and how my study abroad journey would unfold. Before arriving, I had done my research on the neighborhood I'd be living in, the city's layout, its social norms, and even a bit of the language. But deep down, I knew none of it would truly prepare me for what was waiting on the other side of that flight. On my first day, I was exhausted from spending ten hours in the air, but more than anything, I was anxious. Very anxious. I remember that feeling clearly. What I couldn't see then, standing tired and overwhelmed in a city that didn't yet feel like mine, was that I was standing at the beginning of something I would carry with me for the rest of my life.
These past few months taught me more than any classroom ever could, and even then, I was taking five classes a week. Beyond my coursework, I was learning something harder and more valuable: how to adapt. The academic structure alone caught me off guard. The schedules, the expectations, the rhythm of it all were unlike anything I was used to. Adjusting socially was where I grew the most.
