Studying abroad has pushed me out of my comfort zone and forced me to develop new skills to succeed. It has also shown me that I am capable of more than I ever thought I was. Adjusting to a new culture and a different way of life can be challenging, especially when you are doing it alone at first. This setting pushes you to be more resourceful, think more creatively, and approach things with an open mind. Through my experiences studying abroad and traveling throughout Europe, I have developed and improved different skills that are useful in my everyday life, wherever I am.

Being abroad has made me more independent than I ever have been. Traveling alone to a new country can be scary because there are so many unknowns like currency, transportation, and what the people are like. I also had other unknowns like what will my roommates be like? Or what will my classes/professors be like? Will I make good friends? There were an abundance of questions circling my head as to what my experience in London would be like, and I had to face these questions alone at first. This taught me to face things head on and one at a time. Whatever comes at me, whether it’s with school, transportation throughout the city, or traveling to other countries, I know I can figure out whatever is thrown my way. This type of setting has also allowed me to develop strong problem solving skills. I have learned that the best way to approach a situation is with a clear, calm mind which often requires you to take a step back for a minute and breathe. Studying abroad has made me more comfortable with being independent and has allowed me to develop problem solving skills through my day-to-day experiences.

Traveling to other countries has given me a better appreciation for the wide range of cultural differences you can encounter in daily life or in business. During my time abroad, I have travelled to Scotland, Ireland, Portugal, and Greece which has shown me a range of unique cultures. Now, more than ever, I am able to recognize and appreciate how countries and their cultures vary on major aspects or even on smaller things too. This has made me more excited to learn about other countries and adapt to their cultures while I am there.

Through my internship, I have also learned some technical skills as well. In my marketing internship, I typically design graphics to post on social media platforms for the organization I work for. This has allowed me to improve my graphic design skills and be more creative with what I do. Additionally, I have recently started editing my organization’s website to update the content and make it more engaging. This has enabled me to gain a whole new set of skills in web design and editing which could be very useful in my future.

Studying abroad has pushed me out of my comfort zone and has shown me more of what I am capable of. It is not until I look back on my time here and what I have done that I recognize the progress that I have made and the skills I have developed. I am proud of what I have done so far in my time abroad, and I know that the skills I have learned and improved here will be beneficial in my future.