Studying abroad at the University of Chester in England was the single greatest decision I have made in my life. Not only did I learn about UK and European journalism (my major at my home university), but I also learned quite a bit about myself that I never knew was there. Before I left, I felt like a confused small-town girl exhausted from traveling trying to figure out a brand new city in England. Now, I know Chester pretty well, and I would not hesitate to travel anywhere in Europe again. I came so far in only a few short months. Before my trip, I had never been in a taxi, had never taken a public bus or planned any major trips with hostels, transportation and sightseeing all accounted for. Now, I don’t even need to think twice about any of that stuff. I could sit down and plan an entire Euro trip in just a few afternoons. I’ve mastered public transportation and learned that it isn’t always reliable, which has made me more capable of going with the flow. I now feel confident that attitude will transfer over to the real world when I eventually get a job. I lived on my own without knowing anyone in a foreign country at just 19 years old. I’ve learned how to communicate with people from all over the world in ways only travellers understand. I’ve met some of the most amazing people in the most random places along my journey, and some of them will even be life-long friends. I’ve learned so much about other cultures, not just in England, but all over the world from the people I have met and places I have visited. I’ve seen the countries where some of my ancestors came from and saw what life was like there before they moved to America. I’ve learned about a different country’s schooling system and how to deal with the frustration of learning how to do well in it. I’ve lived in a place other than America where a general election has taken place and a royal baby was born. But the greatest thing I learned during my five months abroad was that my love for travel has only grown, and I am even more sure than when I left that I was meant to see the world and report on events happening in other places. Sure, I love my hometown, and I’m proud of where I come from, but I also love seeing new places and meeting new people with interesting stories. I’m certain I chose the right profession to study and chose the right thing to do with my spring semester. If there are any doubts in your mind about studying abroad, erase them. The lessons I learned in my time abroad cannot be taught from a textbook in school. Immersing myself in new cultures and putting myself out there with people from many different countries has prepared me to face any professional or personal situation in the future. The memories I made will carry with me the rest of my life, and I’m confident other study abroad students feel the same.
Studying abroad at the University of Chester in England was the single greatest decision I have made in my life. Not only did I learn about UK and European journalism (my major at my home university), but I also learned quite a bit about myself that I never knew was there. Before I left, I felt like a confused small-town girl exhausted from traveling trying to figure out a brand new city in England. Now, I know Chester pretty well, and I would not hesitate to travel anywhere in Europe again. I came so far in only a few short months. Before my trip, I had never been in a taxi, had never taken a public bus or planned any major trips with hostels, transportation and sightseeing all accounted for. Now, I don’t even need to think twice about any of that stuff. I could sit down and plan an entire Euro trip in just a few afternoons. I’ve mastered public transportation and learned that it isn’t always reliable, which has made me more capable of going with the flow. I now feel confident that attitude will transfer over to the real world when I eventually get a job. I lived on my own without knowing anyone in a foreign country at just 19 years old. I’ve learned how to communicate with people from all over the world in ways only travellers understand. I’ve met some of the most amazing people in the most random places along my journey, and some of them will even be life-long friends. I’ve learned so much about other cultures, not just in England, but all over the world from the people I have met and places I have visited. I’ve seen the countries where some of my ancestors came from and saw what life was like there before they moved to America. I’ve learned about a different country’s schooling system and how to deal with the frustration of learning how to do well in it. I’ve lived in a place other than America where a general election has taken place and a royal baby was born. But the greatest thing I learned during my five months abroad was that my love for travel has only grown, and I am even more sure than when I left that I was meant to see the world and report on events happening in other places. Sure, I love my hometown, and I’m proud of where I come from, but I also love seeing new places and meeting new people with interesting stories. I’m certain I chose the right profession to study and chose the right thing to do with my spring semester. If there are any doubts in your mind about studying abroad, erase them. The lessons I learned in my time abroad cannot be taught from a textbook in school. Immersing myself in new cultures and putting myself out there with people from many different countries has prepared me to face any professional or personal situation in the future. The memories I made will carry with me the rest of my life, and I’m confident other study abroad students feel the same.
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Jessica Blondell@JessicaBlondell |