I’ve done like two (?) posts about my studying abroad before. And I thought it was high time to do another one. Especially since I now officially finished my first year! YAY! I think this post is mainly for myself, just to think about everything that I’ve done and learned this past year.
Going to study abroad was one of the scariest decisions I ever made, but honestly I think it is also one of the best! I’m so grateful for this last year, I’ve learnt so much, and I think it has been one of my happiest years! That sounds cheesy haha!
Things I got out of this last year:
- Lots of new people I will now consider friends!
- Most (basically all) of these people are also from other countries, which means I learned about different cultures, and that is so interesting to me. And I’m grateful for this, since it makes you understand people better.
- I learned to be more independent! Moving to a new country kinda forces you to do things yourself. There are somethings you need to do when you move somewhere, like registering yourself, and there is basically no one you can ask how to do it since they don’t know. So it forces you to talk to people you don’t know and ask.
- Which leads me to the next thing, I learned to ask (for help) when I don’t know something.
- Of course I explored this new country! Honestly Estonia is a beautiful country, definitely recommend a visit.
- Since I was already in the Baltic states I also went and visit Riga (Latvia) and Vilnius (Lithuania), so I can now say I visited all the Baltic states. Of the three capitals I think I like Vilnius the best (in case you want to visit just one!).
- Not really relevant to moving abroad, but I had the opportunity to go to China and it was honestly the best. I’m so happy I finally had a chance to visit a country in Asia! And now I’m even more intrigued to visit more!
- And I think the most important thing I learned this year, is to be proud of myself! I think it is a good thing to be able to say to myself that I’ve done good and that I’m proud.
I would 100% recommend going abroad, it is one of the best experiences in my life so far!
So what now?
I’m doing a two year master program, so I’m now finished with my first year. In the program that I’m doing, the first year is in Estonia and the second year will be in Sweden, Finland or France depending on the track you want to take. So I’m doing my second year in Sweden, Uppsala, which means I need to move to a new country again!
But I think this time I’m wayyyy less anxious, since now I’m more familiar with the process. And of course this time I know some people already, since more of my classmates or going there!
BUT first I’m going to enjoy my summer break! Which started 1,5 week ago! And will finish somewhere at the end of August!
That’s amazing! I think I would be very scared to leave my country and study abroad, but it is something I’ve always wanted to do. 🙂 It sounds like you had a wonderful time, and you learned so much about yourself and other cultures! Have fun on your next trip abroad!
It was scary! But I’m happy I did it!
This was really nice to read! In August I’m going to be studying abroad for 4 months in Japan which I’m kind of nervous about. It was nice to learn about your experience studying abroad.
Ooh that’s so cool! I hope you will have a fantastic time there!
I lived in the UK for a year after high school, but I worked instead of studying. I absolutely loved it, it was so much fun. And yes, I would absolutely recommend this to anyone who can do it.
Ooh but from working abroad you also learn a lot!
Everyone should try! Its my best experience 🙂
I’ve never truly studied abroad on my own, though the closest I came to it was taking one of my archaeology courses one summer, digging in Spain. It was amazing 😀
Which also sounds pretty cool!
Wow, that is incredible. I don’t feel like I could do that. I’d be so nervous – you should be so proud of yourself! That’s such a great experience. I would love to travel to China someday, but I hate the idea of how long it would take to fly there LOL
Yeah i can totally see that! I was really nervous as well!
Ooh I was so not looking forward to the flight to China, but in the end it was worth it!
This is such a great and different post! I think it really helps people (like me) who’ve thought about studying abroad for some time! Personally, this post just gave me reassurance because you said you learned a lot, especially to ask for help (because I hate talking to unknown people haha) and also making new friends which can be tough as well! Please post more about those experiences, I’d love to hear more!
Ooh thanks for your comment! I was nervous this post would be pointless!
I was so nervous about having to make new friends and talking to strangers, but it all ended up going very well 🙂