Studying Abroad: Field Notes on Learning and Living

Traveling is, and always will be, the best gift I have ever received. I see it that way — as a gift — because each new place I visit imparts a secret that only it and I share. Each adventure brings unique experiences, customs, and perspectives I otherwise would never have considered. I come home with a fresh set of eyes, ready to appreciate what I’m returning to while considering how I can further enrich it.

That’s why I wanted to study abroad. I wholeheartedly believe that traveling is just as much about how you go as it is about where you go. There are places I hope to return to someday because I know I wasn’t able to fully appreciate them the first time. I knew traveling in this way, living and studying in a foreign country, would bring lessons and experiences I couldn’t even begin to fathom.

And, turns out, I was right.

When I stuffed no more than fifty pounds of belongings into the largest suitcase I owned and set out for a foreign country with complete strangers, I was a little terrified. I trusted my innate ability to navigate unknown waters, but I also questioned whether I could make friends in a small pool of people, properly immerse myself in a field I was mostly unfamiliar with, and actually get around without losing my way.

But six weeks later, I can confidently say that studying abroad in Cardiff, Wales, was one of the best decisions I have made. Not only did I learn so much about policy and the legal field, but I also learned about myself and what I’m capable of. I journaled about my experiences, making sure to note the tiny details I knew would fade with time, and I reflected on the lessons I picked up along the way. If anyone is considering studying abroad, I urge them to do so. Regardless of your experience, being thrown outside your comfort zone is an inevitable part of life — you might as well be the one to take the first plunge.

Here are some of my notes on living and learning to guide you:

First things first — you’re there to study, so study. Study how your future life could look if only you authentically run toward it. When I began my research, I knew I wanted a program that would let me explore the legal field beyond the four walls of a classroom. Thankfully, I found myself in new government buildings, law firms, and courthouses nearly every day. What did this do for me? It cemented something I perhaps knew all along: you really don’t know what a career is like until you’re out there doing it. I was always aware of, but also intimidated, by this fact. It was easier to make excuses about a lack of opportunities than it was to hustle and find the ones around me.

Studying abroad gave me the leg up I needed to enter the field — no matter where that field was or how big of a contribution I could make. In just a few weeks, I went from a clueless intern to actually being able to recognize the kind of help a client needed and provide it myself. I realized that people are more willing to help than I thought. Sure, I may be young and inexperienced, but leaders appreciate ambition and a willingness to learn. Staying humble, seeking knowledge, and keeping an open mind allowed me to learn more in six weeks than I had in years. At the end of the day, my experience abroad gave me new skills and connections, but most valuable of all is the assurance it granted me. I now return home more certain about my career choice. I may not know exactly where I’m going, but I have a path to follow and a fire lit under me to reach the end. This authenticity is something others can sense. So, surround yourself with people who are passionate about their careers and allow it to inspire you. Enthusiasm is contagious — and it will take you far.

Beyond my studies, my experience taught me about the relationships I have with others and with myself. Mainly, it showed me that making friends isn’t some big, scary endeavor to dread. It’s simply a matter of mutual effort… and a little bit about diving off the deep end.

The friends I made on this trip feel like people I’ve known for years, yet a few months ago they were complete strangers. One of my biggest fears — failing to make connections and being alone — never came true because, from day one, we acted as if we were already best friends. With only six weeks to paint the town red, we didn’t have time for awkward small talk; we only had time to make restaurant reservations and book train tickets. It’s surprisingly easy to find common ground when you’re looking for it. And, at the end of the day, everyone has the same fears you do. We all want someone to share a life-changing adventure with. Sometimes, you just have to let it be easy.

Coming home, I’ve learned that there isn’t some finite number of people in the world for me to connect with. If I can find my people in a group of twenty-two strangers, surely there are infinite possibilities among forty thousand students and eight billion people. It just takes a bit of courage — courage to pretend you’re already friends, and to be dismissed by some in order to find the random individuals who might just extend that same courage.

Finally, I’ve brought home a small but mighty practice that shifted how I lived while abroad: always have something to look forward to. With only six weeks, I could already feel the time slipping away. I knew every moment counted. Scrolling on my phone? Staying home? Rotting in bed? These were all things I could do back home. For this short time, I vowed to complete everything on my bucket list regardless of how busy I was.

I’ll admit, living life this way isn’t always possible — but boy, is it fun. Despite the jet lag, getting out of bed in the morning was no longer a chore. From networking events with prestigious firms to hiking in rolling hills to fish and chips by Cardiff Bay, a packed schedule became synonymous with a full life.

At home, I can now appreciate the slowness of my routine — morning coffee chats with my mom and days spent in my PJs — but I hope to always have one exciting part of the day to anticipate. It might mean seeing a movie with a friend, going to a new workout class, or just watching the sunset alone, but it’s a moment to pause and remind myself that being a traveler means so much more than crossing borders — it means being hungry for adventure, even if you aren’t leaving your hometown.

Studying abroad has taught me a plethora of lessons and granted me memories I’ll cherish forever. It’s an experience I’m immensely grateful for and one I’d highly recommend to those considering it. It will broaden your perspective, your network, and your circle of friends. It will mature you more than you expect. And, most importantly, it will give you your own set of field notes on living and learning — both personally and professionally.

Happy Living

“Wherever you go becomes a part of you somehow.” — Anita Desai