A Year Away From Home
As we bid farewell to Elena, it makes you think about the times shared as well as having the perception of what’s to come. A year away from home.
‘You have no idea what you’ll experience and that’s the best part.’
Today marks one year since I arrived in Texas, USA.
I started a five month journey of self-discovery and people-loving.
Also today, we bid farewell to a dear friend who is soon to see the traditional French town of Tours (pronounced Tour, I don’t get it either) and technological-innovation Spanish beach town, Valencia.
She’ll return some time next year culturally enriched and a completely different person (in some ways).
While we all hope she stays the same in character, from experience, I can tell that something will click.
She’ll meet people who will change her perspective.
Experience places differently because she lives there.
Study abroad has the capability of broadening horizons. It’s quite unique and somewhat difficult to encapsulate in a matter of words.
I remember spending great times with Elena and I’m happy that she’s able to experience life out there for herself.
Taking Ryanair to her first destination will be the toughest test but I’m sure once she skips past that hurdle, she’ll be well on her way.
She’s taking the plunge, going for a year abroad. Something I didn’t want to do at the time and am happy I didn’t do.
I got all I needed from a semester and found more opportunities (namely the two internships) by returning in December last year.
My experience abroad will differ from hers and I’m sure she’ll be full of history and culture when she returns.
I can’t wait for her not to be able to describe her experience because it will be impossible.
All study abroad students go through that, it will be nice for her to be able to empathise with that.
She’ll meet some challenges, apart from Ryanair, which will test her but she knows her support system are a matter of miles away. Even a phone call away.
It’s definitely sad to wave goodbye.
But it’s something I would encourage everyone to do.
You don’t know what you’ll find and sooner or later you’ll realise how important it was to your development.
A year away from home.