Studying abroad started out as a wisp of an idea. It was always right there on the horizon, right next to finally going to college. But, it wasn't until last year that the idea of studying abroad became a total and complete reality.

While I have been on the fence about it over the years, my mom had made it a point to remind me to take the opportunity - one she never had when she went to college. Luckily for me, as a political science major, it was a graduation requirement - which made it easy for me to accept the fact that it was really and truly happening.

So, I planned for it. The application process and preparation were a tad overwhelming, but I knew that it was going to be worth it.

About halfway through the summer, I had a major epiphany. I loved political science, but I felt more passion for another subject: business. It's a subject I've always been wanting to study, but I never made the move because I was very much worried about not having any background in it. After a year of taking the "safer" route, I finally made up my mind to just take the plunge and go for it.

However, this new development opened completely new cans of worms: studying abroad wasn't a requirement anymore, I had to re-plan my class schedule, and I even needed to switch study abroad programs. It was an utter mess to deal with. Stressed out about it all, I really wondered if studying abroad would be worth it after all - especially since I was only going to be able to transfer six units applicable to my major and graduation requirements.

After a lot of thought, I stuck with the original plan. I've always wanted to go to Paris and now the door of opportunity to go there was wide open. Wouldn't it be a complete waste if I let that chance slip? I mean, I absolutely adored French and even took French classes during my freshman year just to learn the language, even though I already met my foreign language requirements.

So there I was, a nineteen-year-old newly-turned business major about to catch her flight to Paris, France.

And now, as I'm sitting in my little Parisian room, praying that my residence hall's shoddy Wi-Fi would finally work this time around and typing away to tell this story? I could not be any happier with the choice I had made.

It was truly a struggle getting here, but the struggle is what really produces character and maturity - making my study abroad experience all the more worth it.

This article was adapted from the wellness and balancing lifestyle blog, The Summer Lover. View the full, original post here for more information and other related posts.