I once perceived studying abroad as an opportunity for others, not for me. I had originally dismissed the concept as too expensive and considered it simply impossible. However, my view changed after attending a workshop. Listening to students with similar backgrounds discuss their journeys motivated me to begin my research, which led me to discover a program in London that encouraged me to take the chance.
The most challenging moment was talking to my parents. Since I’d never been away from home for more than a week, they were very nervous (and honestly, so was I). After a long, heartfelt conversation about safety, dreams, and why this was so important for my education, their support meant I could truly move forward.
In the weeks before leaving, my anxiety skyrocketed. How would I navigate public transportation without getting hopelessly lost? What if I were too shy to make any friends? The “what-ifs” felt endless. Now, almost a month into my program, I’ve found that figuring out the city is easier than it looks when mainly using Google Maps and Citymapper. Since everyone is eager to connect, making friends happened so naturally. Some of my best moments started with a simple “yes” to grabbing dinner or even just going grocery shopping.
Looking back, some simple things to keep in mind would be to pack light to have enough room for souvenirs, or in case you want to do some shopping at markets or malls. A simple budget is a lifesaver, so try to search for meal deals in the area or use apps such as Too Good to Go or OLIO, as they helped me most. And leave plenty of room for spontaneous adventures. I ended up traveling to Brighton and Oxford with friends (Trains sometimes offer discounted group tickets). In our case, for Oxford, some of the sites got booked and there were weddings or simply closed, so investigate where you might want to visit thoroughly to avoid any surprises the day of. My friends and I used an app called DICE when planning our weekends.
This experience has completely pushed me out of my comfort zone and shown me what I’m truly capable of. I’m going home with new friends, new knowledge, and a brand-new confidence I didn’t know I had.
