Blog 17: How Studying
Abroad Changed Me
“Why do you go away? So that
you can come back. So that you can see the place you came from with new eyes
and extra colors. And the people there see you differently, too. Coming back to
where you started is not the same as never leaving.”
I love this quote. I think it kind
of summarizes why I decided to study abroad. This blog is very difficult to
write. I can go on and on about a new country and all of my adventures, but how
can I summarize a personal journey? The nostalgia is starting to creep in
because I’m a week away from ending my program. However, this is only the
beginning of the end. I’ll be traveling alone in Ireland for two weeks before
meeting my family to travel with them in Spain and Italy. But I know a chapter
has ended. I’m looking back at the girl standing terrified at Madrid airport
and realizing that she is not the same girl writing this blog now. Ok, I
haven’t completely changed. I’m
still me, but I’m a stronger, more confident me. Sometimes trying to explain a
personal journey is like trying to explain which came first, the chicken or the
egg. But I’m going to try just because I think this is one of the best reasons
why you should study abroad. So I’m taking a deep breath and jumping into the
deep end of the pool.
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| Beautiful Maui sunrise |
I didn’t decide to study abroad because I
wanted to. Of course it was something I wanted, but it was actually more like
something I needed. For me, studying
abroad did not mean my semester to
party. Let me explain. My entire life up until now has revolved around Hawai’i.
High school was not the highlight of my life to put it lightly. I’d spent those
years plagued with low self-esteem. I was so introverted! And looking back I
think my shyness got misinterpreted as being stuck up. It wasn’t until college
that I finally flicked on the switch. At
first I was bitterly disappointed that I didn’t go to college in the “mainland”
(aka the rest of the USA). And even more
disappointed that I wasn’t drowning in student loans (said nobody). But I
slowly shaved away my insecurities and was so much happier. Next to studying in
the mainland, studying abroad seemed like the next best thing. If I couldn’t
live a five hour plane ride away from home in a place like Cali for four years,
why not live half way around the world for half a year? I wanted to have a time
in my life where I could completely strip away everything familiar and
comfortable. But the idea of being alone without my family, friends, beaches,
and palm trees in a place so far from home also terrified me more than excited
me. Was I strong enough for this? But in the words of Columbus “you can never
cross the ocean unless you have courage to lose sight of the shore.” So that’s
what I did.
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| Plaza de España, Sevilla |
Cut to the present. I’ve seen and
done things I never thought I’d have the courage to do. I’ve flown half away
around the world by myself, sung karaoke in Spanish, stayed out until 8:30 in the
morning, met friends from around the world through couchsurfing, rode a camel
in the Sahara, jumped into the Atlantic ocean in Portugal, saw the power of
religion during Semana Santa, and wore a flamenco dress during Feria. It hasn’t
always been easy being on my own, but a lot of the harder times have become the
most memorable and transformative. Spain has both captivated me and frustrated
me, but that’s only natural when you’re thrown into a new, unfamiliar culture.
I will forever love the Spanish for simply their love of life. I don’t know how
to describe it… they just know how to live to fullest. Family, friends and good
times are so much more important to them than money and prestige. There’s even
a word in Spanish that describes the time after dinner where you talk story
with your family and friends. But I will forever be unable to understand why
people party until seven in the morning.
And WHY do they eat dinner sometime as late as 10pm at night?
I think no matter where I travel or
live in future, there will always be that small town, Maui girl in me. Studying
abroad was one of the best decisions I made. I wanted to leave Hawai’i to
escape my past, when in fact I needed to leave Hawai’i to embrace my past and
grow from it.
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| *Taken from Pinterest |
Hola T,
ReplyDeleteIt's hard hard to believe your study abroad is coming to a close. Six months goes by in a flash! I am so happy you chose to do this as I know you are to. What a priceless life experience! Looking forward to your blog entries from Ireland. As always, safe travels and happy trails.
Beso, Aunty Vic
You are a true Summers girl, adventure is in your blood! Your parents have raised you to be a strong and independent woman, all you did was to find it in yourself. We are very proud of all you have done and will do. Safe and happy trails.
ReplyDeleteAloha, Uncle Joe