Why Studying Abroad Will Be The Best Choice You Ever Make

I can wholeheartedly tell you all that in my 23 years of existence, the best decision that I have ever made, was to go abroad. Whenever I reflect on my life, the memory of studying abroad brings me the most light and happiness and just general comfort, enough to the point that whenever I'm given the opportunity to talk about studying abroad, I jump at the chance.

A friend of mine's sister is in Japan currently. She's been studying Japanese for two+ years as a second major, and it's been her goal from the beginning of her freshman year to spend a semester there. Like me, she had every intention of calling another university her own while attending her US based one. But quite often I forget that that is not how everyone falls into studying abroad. And in fact, for some, jumping into a new program at a new university, in a new city in a new country, with new friends and possibly a new language isn't something that everyone jumps at to be a part of. 

I fell in love with the idea of Ireland through a movie. I threw the idea out there to my aunt that "wouldn't it be cool if we went to Ireland for my graduation present?" and it happened. At 18, I fell in love with Dublin and Guinness, with Howth and potato leek soup, with County Kerry and gaelic football, with the Dingle Peninsula and Aran sweaters. I went home singing Galway Girl and the praises of a country I had never thought I could love so much. And as a soon-to-be college freshman at a school that boasted being "the number one school for study abroad in the country", I vowed to go back.

And that is how I ended up at University College Dublin.

I studied general courses at UCD that did not really contribute to my Communication degree. I took an archaeology class about the island of Crete, and another that was a class based on four field trips to counties around Dublin and in the city itself. I took a course called the Sociology of Work, which I quite often did not attend and actually skipped once in order to go lay in St. Stephen's Green for a morning. I learned about the architecture of Europe, which only contributed slightly to my Art History minor. And I also took Irish Language, which helped me to translate "An Coláiste Ollscoile, Baile Átha Cliath"  and where I learned to write the language beautifully, but conversationally I believe I received a "C+". But academics at an internationally renowned university in the land of scholars and saints were not what made this experience the best choice I would ever make. It was the experience outside of it.

Studying abroad made me better at communicating. I know a lot of people don't consider studying abroad in an English speaking country as "really studying abroad". And to them I say this: "Have you ever tried to understand a drunk, thickly accented Irish lad name Caomhin who is trying to tell you his name by spelling it?" Probably not. And if you have, bravo to you, you understand how much of a language barrier there can be even in an English speaking country. (Also, I was eventually told it was pronounce "Qwee-ven", but I'm still not 100%). On my first day in Ireland I had an extremely difficult time understanding how much the bus driver said it was to ride into city centre, and for months the slang that a friend of mine used while texting me would leave me baffled. I became very good at being clear that I didn't understand and acclimating to the culture I was in through verbal communication. Ah, you're grand - I tried to bring that one home with me.

Studying abroad made me more financially savvy. I was abroad for a total of 16 weeks and had brought limited funds with me from home. While many of my friends blew through euros and called home for more cash to be put into their accounts, I counted every note and planned every week's worth of cash that I could spend in order to afford the things I wanted to do. I budgeted how much I could spend for groceries, how much I could afford to blow on Jaggerbombs on a night out at Copper's, and how much I would be able to spend on one of my trips out of the country. It made me think and learn and I often have to remind myself of that when I look at my bank account now.

Studying abroad made me confident, vulnerable and independent. I already believed myself to be independent, but it wasn't until I was on the bus headed to UCD, alone, that I grasped how independent I must be. I remember thinking to myself that I was actually doing this, I was by myself, I knew no one and that this would either be the most lonely, miserable four months of my life, or the greatest, but there was no turning back. I learned the streets and the bus routes so well that I still navigate them in my head sometimes. I did a lot alone, and that was okay for me. I learned to trust new friends and even strangers, to walk with confidence held by locals in their own city. And I tried to bring that home with me.

Studying abroad is a weird experience, embrace it. Some people travel with a lot of people from home universities. While I was at UCD, 40 students from the University of Notre Dame were studying abroad, more than 10 times that of all of my core group of friends' programs at home. I went abroad with two other girls who I had met once prior to leaving for our trip. These girls became two of my closest friends. And that was within a few days. You learn that you're in this weird kind of situation where friendship is essential to survive and enjoy your experience. You grow close to people quickly, I'd say that my friends from study abroad know as much about me and are as close to me as my best friends at home. You're in this new place, learning and exploring it together, and that's a bond that's something really special. Once you make your first RyanAir trip together or they agree to climb to the top of Arthur's Seat on an extremely windy day for you just because you saw it in "One Day", you'll know that.

Arthur's Seat, Edinburgh, Scotland

Prime example of the windy day.

Studying abroad made me patient. A major difference between American and Irish living is the concept of time. When my aunt came for Christmas, I set up a time for her to meet one of my closest Irish friends and when he arrived around 7-ish, I told him "I meant American half six, not Irish half six", because as long as it's close, what does it matter? While punctuality is great, I learned that patience isn't just about waiting for other people, it's learning to take time to enjoy life without restrictions. Especially when you miss your train from Paris to London, think you've missed the only bus that will get you to the airport in time to catch your flight, or when your travelling companion decides heels were the best footwear from cobblestone streets.

Almost missing the last possible bus

And finally, studying abroad changes you. I remember coming home and feeling like everyone there would be different. But I saw my friends from home, saw my family, and realized that while I was on this exciting adventure thousands of miles away, they were living their everyday lives. Not to say that their four months had been boring or that nothing had happened with them, but it was different. Studying abroad can really make you into a different person. You've learned to adapt, to be independent, to thrive in a new setting where no one knows you. I felt that my truest self was who I was while in Dublin, I got to be true to myself and not be put into any category by people who had known me for years and years. It's freeing and enlightening on your journey to knowing who you really are as a person.

The main reason why study abroad changed me, however, is that it made me over the moon happy. The happiest I had ever been in my entire life. It was, by far, the best choice I ever made and my only regret from it was not going for longer. 

I want to apologize for a ridiculously long post, but I won't because I love thinking about that time in my life. If you're thinking about studying abroad, do it. What's there to lose?

-J

Hostels: It's Not Just Where You Lay Your Head

I know that for many Americans, hostels seem like dirty and dangerous boarding. Before I went abroad, I had never really thought about them past knowing that the movie Hostel had turned my friends into believing that I'd be killed as soon as I set foot in one. But obviously I wasn't killed, and actually my hostel staying experience was a pleasant one. Here's where I stayed and what I've learned along the way.

First of all, I'd just like to point out that to me nothing was better than coming "home" after my time away. Travelling was fun and fulfilling, but the comfort of my temporary home was far better. The culture shock you experience in each new place make the simple things in your "home" city that much more welcoming. I can remember the feeling of relief washing over me as I watched Dublin Port come into view after a particularly long trip.

My first hostel experience was in Edinburgh, Scotland at the High Street Hostel. Located right off of the Royal Mile, the building that houses the hostel looked like something out of Harry Potter (fittingly as HP holds its beginnings in that very city). Our location was ideal and aside from the bus we took to get to and from the airport, we were in walking distance of everything Edinburgh had to offer. And since our response to "what did you do in Edinburgh?' is always "eat", walking was essential to us not coming home ten pounds heavier.

When choosing a hostel, location is key. Although you may find a very cheap, very nice hostel outside of city limits, unless you'll be there for a lengthy amount of time, it's probably not worth it. Saving on time and money for transportation costs is key to getting the most out of a weekend away.

Walking to Arthur's Seat at the top of Mount Holyrood 

High Street was not the most glamorous of places to stay, but hey, you're in a hostel, and at £19 for two nights stay, it was a bargain. What I love about Europe is the ease and price of travel, RyanAir flights were often the cheapest part of my trip and an experience all in themselves. While High Street's bunks were not fitted with the most modern of linens, they were clean, offered lockers to keep our things safe and were for the most part quiet, making sleeping there enjoyable.

Pay attention to ratings when you book a hostel. Other traveler's opinions on a place are helpful and mostly accurate. If the comments continue to mention something over a period of time, it's probably true. And note why they're receiving the scores they are; is it because breakfast is £5?Are the employees rude? Did they feel unsafe or have things stolen? High Street currently holds a 78% rating on HostelWorld, they offer clean accommodation, a great location, and friendly staff; breakfast was not free and it was not the most updated place. Decide what matters to you and use ratings as a guide.

After Edinburgh I didn't travel anywhere outside of Ireland for a month in a half. In that time, I had researched a lot of places to go for my revisions week trip I would be taking. I think that overplanning can be the death of a trip, overloading yourself with things to do in a short period of time always leave me tired and I look back and realize that I didn't live in the moment while I was there.

Such was not the case for me during this trip. We started off in Brussels, Belgium, which in case you were unaware, is a very gray city. Although the Grand Place is beautiful, you'll find interesting architecture throughout the city and the smell of chocolate will waft through the streets. The Atomium and Little Europe lay on the outskirts of the city but I had little interest in a touristy attraction. I had chosen Brussels because of my Belgian heritage, and not knowing about anything more to do there other than seeing Mannekin Pis.

We arrived to our hostel, 2GO4 Quality, hungry, tired and rain soaked. This was my most expensive hostel at €20 a night and was decorated like what I imagine an Urban Outfitters hostel would look like, you get what I'm saying? The room we stayed in had an ornately carved wooden beam overhead and the most comfortable, delightfully white bed, it was like a hotel, except that we were bunking down with 12 strangers. Aside from the bed heaven, the hostel offered free use of three computers which is helpful if you're backpacking and want to make a social media check in every once in a while.

Take advantage of the staff that's employed by the hostel as well as the tourist maps they supply. You might feel stupid walking around with a map but they're full of useful information as well as directions. And they're a free keepsake from your trip.

The best thing that ever happened thanks to staying in a hostel was the discovery of the amazing Belgian waffle. I know what you're thinking, "how did you not know about Belgian waffles, we have them in the States?" Unless you've been to Belgium or know a Belgian who is an amazing cook, you don't know Belgian waffles. Thankfully we asked the man working reception at 2GO4 Quality where to find the best Belgian waffle. "Vitalgaufre" he said, "it's here." He circled it on our map and drew a path to it from the hostel. I will forever be indebted to that man. We ate there twice in twelve hours. Just give me a minute to reminisce...

Okay, back to the post. But first, you didn't think I'd leave it without a waffle picture, did you?

"Tourist" waffle

My apple waffle

My last hostel was in London, now called Hostel Fresh @ The White Ferry, Victoria, London. This is a hostel above a pub, surprisingly quiet and very safe and secure. Hostel rooms have keypads with different codes as well as the door at the top of the steps, allowing no pub goers to enter any sleeping quarters. This was an interesting experience for the three of us staying there as the beds were triple bunked, yet we were split up two to the top of one set and one on the bottom of the neighboring set. (I chose the bottom, it seemed safest).

What I learned from this stay is that in a large city, place yourself in the center of the things you want to do while you're there. I happened to be with my friend who practically lives in London, so getting lost wasn't going to happen, but if you're iffy about public transport, use the tools available to you when booking a hostel to see what will be the best fit. 

Also, if you're offered a free breakfast with your stay, take it. At the White Ferry the breakfast was simple and early: toast and peanut butter, cereals and tea between 7 & 9 AM. But eating there for free allowed me to save some money for the numerous Pizza Express trips we made during the three days. I also found it nice to be up and ready that early and to be able to plan the excursions for the day while having a little quiet as the sun shone through the pub windows.

Overall, I had a pretty fantastic experience with hostels. Sure they weren't as nice as the four star hotel I stayed at in Paris (courtesy of a friend's parents), but looking back, what was the trip really about? It's about the experience, the things that I saw and the cultures that I got to be in for a few days. You don't go to these cities just to sit in a hotel room, you go to sight see, to eat, to learn, to indulge in life.

So when you go, remember that it's not about where you were when your eyes were closed, its about what you got to see in the world while they were open.

-J