Dear Pre-Departure Me,

I remember how nervous you were back in January. You were worried that you wouldn’t make friends or that you wouldn’t have any fun. You had nothing to worry about.

I love the friends I have made here! I’ve met so many students across the US that I would’ve never met without this study abroad experience. I went on so many fun trips and outings with these friends.

While studying abroad in London, I definitely have grown a lot. Since being here, I feel a lot more independent. I had to move to another country for four months, without the help of my family. This was the first time I was living over thirty minutes away from them for an extended period of time. I also feel more comfortable traveling. I’ve been to a few different countries while in London, and I can definitively say that these trips have fueled my passion for traveling. I traveled as much as I could around Europe, especially since I will never get another opportunity to be in Europe for an extended period of time.

I’ve also learned a few things that I wished I had known before coming to London. I didn’t realize how convenient (and beautiful) train rides are within the UK. My first trip here was to Edinburgh and seeing the coast and farmland was so beautiful. The train ride itself was under eight hours and I did not have to stress about the amount of liquids I carried, or how long the security line would be. I have even taken the train to Seven Sisters Cliffs and it was a great way to see another part of England. I also learned that I can pack efficiently for trips when I’m limited on space. I am a chronic overpacker, so I had a huge learning curve on my first trip. I traveled on budget airlines for some trips, so I was only allowed a backpack. I learned the best way to maximize space in my bag, especially since I was only ever traveling on weekends. I also learned how great public transportation is. Public transportation is not the best in Pittsburgh, so it can be hard to get from place to place. Here, it is convenient to travel by tube (and is often the preferred method of transportation for most).

Finally, the thing that most surprised me about this global experience is how much I would miss home. I was so excited to go to London, and while it has been great for me, I also miss certain aspects of the US. For example, I miss strolling through Target. I haven’t found any stores equivalent to Target here. I also miss driving. While public transportation is great here, I miss being able to get into my own car and drive myself from point A to point B. With a car, I don’t have to worry about being squished against other people, or missing the train, as I can leave at my own time.

Studying abroad in London has been a life changing experience. So, pre-departure me, get ready to enjoy one of the best four months of your life because it will be worth it!