What studying abroad meant to me.

I'm back in the United States and my summer in England has ended. So much has happened that I cannot even begin to describe what this experience meant to me, and honestly, I don't think I'll ever know just how much studying abroad has affected me. Because it's so much more than taking classes in a foreign country or making new friends or living in an exciting city. It's how placing yourself in a distant point on a map completely transforms your personality, lifestyle and mentality, all for the better. I could write forever on why studying at the University of Leeds was the greatest time of my life, so here's my attempt at conveying just how much I learned about myself and the world around me:

The amazing friends that I made taught me that the best people are the genuine ones. Never try to be anything that you're not because you can and will make friends, no matter what country or situation you're in. On my first night in Leeds, I let my guard down and was my goofy, extroverted self, and you know what, I had one of the best nights of the trip bonding with people I now call my best friends. Don't be afraid to be yourself, it's just not worth it.

Speaking of letting your guard down, I learned that you have to be vulnerable. There is a peace and a freedom that comes with opening your heart up to others and not being afraid of what might happen. We all pursue meaningful relationships, and for the first time, I was completely open with my emotions. I wore my heart on my sleeve and didn't pretend to be indifferent when I wasn't out of fear of rejection. And guess what, it payed off, because I have some pretty spectacular memories with certain people simply because I didn't play games with them about how I felt. Studying abroad instilled that confidence in me.

The fact that I only had four weeks in Leeds made me completely aware that you have to make the most out of the time you're given. Life is short. Period. I love the saying that you won't remember whether or not you got a good night's sleep five years from now; forget whatever's holding you back and just do everything you possibly can because the opportunity will end.

I learned that you not only have to be open-minded but that it's truly the best way to go about life. I was able to converse with those of differing opinions about my religion, morals and beliefs without being judged because we all approached the situation with pure curiosity and respect. You wanna talk about being a global citizen? Try listening to others, it works.

In a very paradoxical sense, I learned that, in fact, it is a small world after all, yet you have a very small place in it. It was so neat to be able to bond with people from completely different cultures so quickly, but it hit me pretty early on that the details of my life aren't all that important. It may sound disheartening, but this very humbling fact is quite important. The world turns regardless of what's going on in your life, so don't be a diva and get on with your issues because they are irrelevant to 99.99% of the population.

I gained the invaluable knowledge that I am a much more independent person than I give myself credit. Studying abroad requires quite a bit of courage, but the benefits of self-awareness make it all worthwhile. Be bold, make decisions for yourself and take chances because finding out who you are in this world makes life so much more bearable.

I realized that the world is a truly glorious place. You need to go somewhere that looks, feels, tastes, smells and sounds different from your home. You need to walk in the same steps of those who lived a thousand years before you and have your mind blown because it hasn't changed that much since then. You need to witness a physical object, whether it be a painting or a church or garden, that makes you cry because it's so beautiful. And you need to realize that we are so lucky to be on this planet because despite all the terrible things going on in this world, you are here in this foreign land, experiencing the wonder of life. I have never felt so alive nor had so many times where I'd just stop in my tracks, look around, and thank God for being young. For the ability to take in a moment and just revel in it, knowing that it will eventually pass so you have to appreciate it while it's still there. For praying with all your heart that you can soak in every last ounce of a memory because whatever happened was so perfect and wonderful that you want to have it with you forever. For being so blissfully happy about a small, miniscule occurrence and treating it like it was the best thing to ever happen because those you're with made it that amazing. For being so full of emotion that the only people who understand are those you're experiencing it with, giving you a connection that never dies. For loving a group of people so much that, even after four weeks together, parting with them is as hard as a break-up: that nauseous, hopeless feeling that no amount of tears or hugs can cure. And for having so wonderful many stories to tell that you don't know where to begin because words or pictures don't do the memories justice. 

Thanks and gig 'em,

Rachel