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How Studying Abroad Made Me A Happier Person

I wouldn’t say I was an unhappy person before studying abroad; I definitely was always the one to be pushing positivity, but I did go through a lot that kind of started to put me back on a lesser path. The last thing I thought I was going to be able to do three months ago was pack up a suitcase and travel across the world for four months, but surprisingly it was exactly what I needed.
I remember applying to college senior year of high school and you’re asked on the applications if you are interested in studying abroad, my answer was always heck no. There was no way I had the courage to just leave what I knew for such an extended amount of time. But then life went on, things happened, I lost some people, and I realized life is short and you gotta just go for the stuff that scares the crap out of you. I’ve never traveled before, heck the furthest I’ve ever been away from home was North Carolina for a week, how was I going to get on an 8 hour plane ride to Italy alone in a place where I knew absolutely no one?
I honestly still don’t know how I did that, but I did and it really did change me. I never thought that it was true when people say travelling and studying abroad changes you. It sounded like a bunch of crap to me but it does, I can promise that. Travelling has made me realize so much more about myself and really learn to love who I am. Having to go out on my own and learn how to travel, take a plane, and adjust to a new place really helped me feel much more independent when I already considered myself an independent person. I feel like I can take on anything at this point and I’m much stronger than I was three months ago. Most of all though, I’m happy.
No one knows me here, literally not one person. I didn’t even know anyone in my program at first. I feel like I have so much more freedom in this way because no one knows me. No one knows my past, they don’t know any rumors or stories about me, it has been the perfect chance to create a whole new me. I don’t get judged for acting a little different or crazy and I’m finally comfortable in my own skin.
Travelling the world also just gives you a whole new perspective on life. You see different cultures and new places and it’s just an overall empowering feeling to do so. I feel as if I have accomplished so much by travelling as much as I have in such a short amount of time but at the same time I wish I had months more to really learn about each place I’ve been to and travel even more, which truly amazes me because I expected myself to be homesick by week two, yet here I am.

It may just be one semester abroad but this experience truly has changed me for a lifetime. I met amazing people, I’ve met not so great people, I’ve laughed, I’ve cried, and I’ve had a ton of firsts while here, but these are all moments I will never forget. Travelling has put me back on a happier path when I was feeling lost and confused. A year ago I would have never expected to be where I am today but I guess that’s the thing about life, it takes you by surprise and its not just one easy path. You have your ups and downs but you get to where you need to be. However, life is all your own choice. If I never chose to take the risk and do what scares me I would never be where I am today and I’m extremely proud of the person I am today; strong, independent, and happy.

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