Studying abroad is an experience destined to foster growth, both personally and professionally. Thrown into an unfamiliar culture and environment, one is forced to develop and understand new perspectives on life. Not only is it known to be a life-changing experience but also a segue to an array of opportunities. In addition to the latter though, everyone has their own motivations behind spending a semester abroad - some more pivotal than others.
My overarching goal for the next three months is to increase my self-confidence. Confidence can be interpreted and represented in a variety of ways, but for me, it indicates carefreeness. As a perfectionist, my fear of failure and judgment can sometimes impede my ability to simply appreciate the present moment. With that said, I am taking this semester abroad as an opportunity to shift gears.
In order to mitigate the more difficult stages of culture shock, it is essential to maintain a more carefree attitude and with that, consistently remind myself to do the following:
Stop trying to be perfect
As I dive head-first into an entirely new setting, creating expectations and worrying about what's to come will cause more harm than good. The truth is that I'm never going to be perfect"”nobody is. It's only been just over a week plus since I arrived in London, and I have already been laughed at for my pronunciation of numerous streets and English sweet treats. But, I remind myself to build a bridge and get over it"”and no I'm not referring to Tower Bridge. Speaking of that, we had a tourist day last week hoping to visit London Bridge but soon found out that the famous "London Bridge" on Pinterest is actually Tower Bridge.
Embrace the present moment
Throughout the last week, I've definitely been in my honeymoon arrival phase. Granted I am having the time of my life, I've also found myself worrying about the upcoming culture shock more times than not. Although, I've been trying to shift my mindset. I mean the worst that can happen is I go through a couple of emotional rollercoasters during my experience, and if I do, it will be fine - the end of the W-Curve is a peak, not a valley.
Live, don't just exist
I like to mention that I was a summer camp kid because I remember it as a time when I felt the most alive. In some ways, it felt like an escape from reality; in other ways, it captured the essence of life. I recently saw a quote that read, "Even when it's cloudy, the sun still exists." Literally, that's the truth, but it's important to think of it metaphorically too. Even the bleak days don't have to be all gloom and doom. Grabbing an oat latte from Pret is my new simple pleasure, so even on rainy days here in London, I make it happen.
It's the little things that make the difference between living and existing. That's one thing I've already noticed during my first week in London - people are constantly out and about, not on their phones, just enjoying the moment. At my core, I yearn for the spirit of summer camp. I admire the optimism on rainy days and the enthusiasm for the present; I see that spirit in London.
As I make a habit of living with a more carefree attitude and build my self-confidence, I hope to make the most of my time abroad and minimize my worries. I went into this experience with very few familiar faces and have never been across the pond, so it's definitely a challenge. However, it is also an incredible opportunity for growth. I'm extremely excited for the next four months, and although you (and I) may be scared, I can already recommend that you take the leap and spend a semester abroad.
