It wasn’t always in my plan to go abroad sophomore year. Actually, it was never in my plan to go abroad as a sophomore, but it was one of the greatest, most spontaneous decisions I have ever made. The concept of going abroad my second year on campus was never something I considered until I did it. In deciding to go abroad as a sophomore, I had the opportunity to see the world a year earlier than most, but that wasn’t even the beginning of the best part.

By going abroad as a sophomore, I was introduced to an amazing group of people I had never met before and likely wouldn’t have met if I hadn’t gone abroad when I did. I didn’t share a major with most of them and although we were all in the business school together, I’d never seen most of them before in my life. Not knowing anyone was one of the best and the scariest parts. Prior to the trip, I only knew a few of them very informally. I’d met two at one point and another lived on my floor freshman year, although I was only there for a semester. I knew I’d have to make all new friends with people I didn’t really know, and that was terrifying. Making friends isn’t always easy, but with this group I can honestly say it was. As a result of going in blind, I met the most amazing group of people and made some awesome friends I would have never met if I hadn’t gone when I did.

Going abroad also allowed me to escape the sophomore slump. Sophomore year hit me hard. My classes were more difficult and I was having a tough time. I was so focused on the smallest of things that it became really easy for me to become upset over trivial everyday encounters. This actually was what encouraged me to go abroad when I did. By going abroad second semester sophomore year, I was able to see the world in a whole new way. Looking back, the things I used to focus on and get upset over just weren’t worth it. I can honestly say that going abroad has changed and widened my perspective, and I’m so glad that I went when I did because I know the experiences I’ve had this semester are going to make future semesters on campus just that much better.

I’ll be honest, it was a big leap of faith to go when I did, but it was so rewarding. I have grown up so much this semester as a result of being in Europe and also being surrounded by hands down the best group of people. It was definitely high risk, high reward. I’ll never be able to thank my program enough for everything that this semester has given me. I know that this was a once in a lifetime experience, and I’m so glad I decided to go when I did and go on the program I did. It might be cliché, but I’ve definitely changed for the better as a result of this semester. If any freshman were to ever ask me if I’d recommend going as a sophomore, there’s no doubt in my mind I’d say yes a thousand times over.