My study abroad experience has been nothing short of amazing. It is an experience that I will remember and cherish for the rest of my life. Studying abroad has taught me so much about life, the world, and, most importantly, myself. During these past few months, I have seen parts of the world I have dreamed about seeing since I was a kid, and I have made memories that I will never forget. It is a bittersweet feeling to know that soon I will be back to my normal life in Pittsburgh. While I love my home there, I am very sad to be leaving this place that has been my home for the past couple months. London has been everything I could’ve wished for and more, and I cannot wait to plan a trip back to this city.
Studying abroad has enabled me to grow as an individual in multiple ways. For starters, I have become more independent than I ever have been. I have learned to love taking solo trips to explore London. Also, I have grown to love walking alone and simply wandering through different areas of the city. Before I studied abroad, I was somewhat independent but I didn’t always enjoy being alone or going places alone. Now, I have come to love spending time alone reading or journaling or taking aimless walks where I can soak up all my surroundings. Another way that I have grown is in my public speaking skills. I used to get extremely nervous for presentations in class and I would always shy away from talking in front of my peers. However, after completing multiple presentations and “fish-bowl” discussions in class, I have become more comfortable with public speaking, and it is a skill that I know will be crucial in my future. Lastly, I have also grown professionally through my internship experience. My internship was challenging to manage because it was always difficult to contact my supervisor or get clear communication from him. This helped me learn how to effectively communicate with coworkers and supervisors in this type of situation and how to adjust to different communication norms on a global scale. I was also able to further develop my graphic design and marketing skills through this position.
My time in London has taught me a lot and has given me an experience that I know I can always look back on and utilize in my future. One key takeaway from this experience in general is to not be afraid to put yourself out there, especially when meeting new people. Most people in my program came here alone, so we were all in the same position. This gave us an exciting opportunity to meet new people who are different than us and are from all over the U.S. Now, we have made friendships that will stay with us as we go back to the States. Putting yourself out there is challenging and can be scary, but after having this experience, I know I will be better equipped to put myself out there when meeting recruiters or starting a new job in my future.
As my time in London comes to an end, I am trying to remind myself to not be sad but to be grateful for this unforgettable experience that I will always cherish. Thank you, London, for giving me the time of my life.