Studying abroad is often seen as a life-changing experience that can shift how you view the world and
yourself. It’s more than just attending classes in another country, it’s a way to explore what it means to be human. I’ve always been intrigued by the question, “What does it mean to be human?” While many
perspectives and fields try to answer this, there’s no single or correct answer. Studying abroad offers a
chance to learn more about the human experience through different perspectives, cultures, and ways of life. As you go through this journey, you realize how fortunate it is to be human. I’ve come to understand that the best way to grasp what it means to be human is through connection with other… humans.
We often think we’re in control of our lives, but much is out of our hands. Where we’re born, our family situation, and our early surroundings shape who we become. And the things that shape us, we didn’t get to choose. Think about two very different life experiences. Some people grow up with everything they need good schools, access to healthcare, and loving parents. Others are born into poverty, abandonment, and abuse. Only through stories one can learn how random life is.
I was lucky to meet a girl (on my study abroad trip) whose name I’ll keep private to respect her privacy.I asked her to share her story, but I wanted to honor her. She was born into a poor family in India. Without going into the specifics of her family’s situation, her mother ultimately attempted to take her life by leaving her to starve. I can’t speak on her parents’ actions (it’s easy to say what’s right from wrong without understanding the circumstances), but this reflects a real issue happening in the world. Despite going through such a traumatic experience, you might expect her to be bitter and distrustful. However, she’s the complete opposite. She’s the most passionate and life-loving person I’ve ever met. She showed me that no matter how tough the odds, you can always rise above them.
So how does studying abroad fit into this? Studying abroad helps you face these big questions by showing you a wide range of human experiences. You see that people in different cultures may live differently, but we all share the same struggles with love, happiness, and belonging. By experiencing these differences, you start to understand what connects all of us.
Studying abroad is one of the best ways to explore these ideas because it pushes you out of your comfort zone. It’s not just traveling… it’s embracing the unknown. I’ll never forget an elderly Japanese woman who didn’t speak English but was determined to show me something beautiful in her city. In moments like these, where language and culture don’t matter, you feel connected to the larger human experience. These moments and memories formed who I am today.
It’s easy for me to sit here and explain why studying abroad helps you confront these big questions, but the truth is, it’s going to push you out of your comfort zone. I believe that in this day and age, a lot of people miss the chance to learn someone else’s story. This happens across all cultures you’ll sit on public transportation and see everyone glued to their phones, not interacting with those around them. You might feel awkward or look strange by trying to engage, and people won’t always expect it, but you’ll form amazing friendships that will teach you more than you could ever imagine. The majority of friendships you form will be unexpected.
For example, allow me to introduce Wanda, known as my “Thai mom”. We ended up building a great connection, which I never expected considering she was a middle-aged Thai woman. But she adopted me as her own and treated me like a son. She taught me the basic principles of Buddhism, which are present in Thai culture. Buddhism is more of a way of life than just a religion, and it’s based on the belief thateverything is uncertain. This leads to the understanding that attachment, whether to negative or positive emotions, is unnecessary. She also shared some spiritual stories about how she was able to achieve amazing things through her faith which spoke to me deeply. Through Wanda, I was able to learn a couple of things, friendships don’t have to be confined to similar physical and mental constraints, and the power of religious beliefs have on the human psyche.
With that being said, many successful people had mentors who guided them when they needed it most. You start to realize that every person you meet can teach you something, no matter where they come from. That’s one of the most human experiences realizing we all have something to offer, and we all need each other.
Even though you meet people with very different lives, you start to see the similarities. We all need love, safety, and purpose. Despite our differences, we share basic human needs. This can bring a sense of peace but also a responsibility to treat others with empathy and understanding.
I noticed personal changes as I started to go abroad. I began cultivating a “letting go” attitude. Realize
people aren’t personally out to get you, but rather, they’re victims of their circumstances. They behaved that way because it’s all they’ve ever known or been taught. I become less reactive and more
understanding. Things begin to seem less important and easier to accept to me.
The more you see different perspectives, the more you grow. You learn that life isn’t about control; it’s
about embracing the unexpected. It teaches you to be flexible, curious, and most importantly, empathetic. Studying abroad changes how you view life, making you focus less on your own experience and more on the general “human experience”.
In the end, studying abroad isn’t just about learning or traveling. It’s about exploring what it means to be human in a world full of confusion and beauty. It’s about letting go of control and opening yourself to new people and experiences that will change you in ways you never expected. Through that, you start to find answers to the big question: What does it mean to be human?
