It’s Not Expensive
I always wanted to study abroad but, because I assumed I’d never be able to afford it, I never bothered looking into it. I had no idea how much support there is at UW Bothell for students who need help securing funding for their trip. There are scholarship and essay writing workshops, advisors, and even a year-long program aimed at helping students achieve their dreams of incorporating a global experience into their education. If you’re willing to put in the effort and reach out for help as needed, you could have all your travel and tuition expenses covered. I was still on the fence about studying abroad when I was accepted into the Global Scholars Program. But the program’s amazing staff and faculty guided me through every step of the process from how to select a program to how to write a winning essay for the Gilman Scholarship.
It’s Ok To Be Scared
“Why on Earth did I think studying abroad would be a good idea?” I remember asking myself that a lot in the weeks before my departure. I’ve always been an anxious person but the level of panic I started to feel as my program date neared surprised even me. I am a 42-year-old with 2 kids and 5 cats. What business did I have leaving the country for a month? As my dread continued to increase, I had to read my application and scholarship essays repeatedly just to remind myself why I had chosen to do something so far outside my comfort zone. No one had ever told me that it’s actually quite common to get cold feet right before traveling. My anxiety kept running terrible scenarios through my mind. What if my phone didn’t work when I landed? What if I couldn’t find my way to the dorm I was supposed to stay in? What if I didn’t make any friends? What if what if what if… By the time I was enroute to SeaTac airport, I felt like I was gonna barf. The good news is I can laugh about it now. The reality is that going to a foreign country comes with a lot of unknowns. It’s ok to feel nervous about that. But studying abroad provides you with a lot of extra support for navigating any potential challenges. You have your instructors, cohort, and other support staff to help you through any unexpected challenges.
Europe is Incredible
Before studying abroad, I never felt particularly interested in visiting Europe. If it were up to me, I thought I’d rather spend my days lounging on a white sand beach or hiking through a tropical rainforest. I am, however, very passionate about social justice. So, when I saw UW Seattle was offering a faculty led comparative analysis of urban social control, I knew I wanted to be a part of it no matter where it was taking place. The fact that it was happening in Amsterdam seemed almost irrelevant. Once I got there though, I kept thanking my lucky stars that I was in the Netherlands. It was really eye-opening to study urban ordering processes in a country that, from my point of view, does a much better job caring for its citizens than the United States. I was also blown away by the amount of culture and history I encountered there. I had always taken it for granted that the U.S. is such a young country. Suddenly being surrounded by beautiful centuries-old buildings and having access to so many incredible museums made me realize I’d been living in a cultural vacuum my entire life. Getting a taste of Amsterdam for a month made me hungry for more of Europe. Once you’re there, getting from one country to the next is ridiculously easy and super cheap if you opt to stay in a hostel. I ended up extending my stay beyond the duration of my program so I could visit France, Belgium, and Germany.
Studying Abroad Changes You
I feel different since coming back home. Challenging myself by embarking on a study abroad program allowed me to expand my definition of self. In Amsterdam, I learned that I am an explorer. I used to feel like I couldn’t do that on my own. If I wanted to go somewhere or do something fun, I thought I needed a friend to come with me. But not knowing if or when I might ever be back in Amsterdam created a sense of urgency that motivated me to do a lot of things by myself. I started getting a deep sense of joy and satisfaction from pushing myself further and further out of my comfort zone. Now that I am home, I feel restless and hungry for new experiences. But I also feel stronger, more confident, more independent, and more comfortable alone. For so long, I let my anxiety trap me in a little cocoon of familiarity. Before leaving for my trip, I never dreamed I would take an extra week to hop around Europe by myself. Now, I have a million tabs open on my computer of itineraries for potential trips I’d like to take. I’ve been researching different ways to offset the costs of travel so I can continue nurturing my love of exploration and already have a flight booked for my next adventure, Ireland.
