Recommended for you

What I Wish I Knew Before Taking a Semester Abroad

A guide to living halfway around the world

Jul 02, 2019

What I Wish I Knew Before Taking a Semester Abroad

Pixabay

After literally years of planning... my semester abroad is coming to a close. While I am so grateful for my time here, there are a few things that I wish I could go back and tell my "pre-departure" self. Here are just ten of those things:

1) God's Plan is Bigger Than Yours

... or I guess you could say "fate" if you don't believe in God. Regardless, this is one of the first things that I had to learn. This spring, I took a big leap of faith and applied to study abroad for a full year, got accepted, and then committed... only to find out later that attending the full academic year would be extremely detrimental to my progress towards my degree. In fact, studying abroad for a full year would be an absolute waste of money. This was honestly absolutely heartbreaking for me. However, as much as a large part of me wants to stay in England forever, it is now starting to make sense to me why my full year abroad did not work out. Everything happens for a reason, and everything works out the way that its meant to.

2) The Food is Gonna Take Some Getting Used To

Pro... beans and toast is considered a food group.

Con... salad dressing is virtually non-existent

3) ...But You Will Discover New Foods That You Love!

England's dessert game is strong with their waffles!

4) No Matter How Much You Love Your Host Country, There Will Be Cultural Differences That You Don't Like

No, ASDA is NOT the same as Walmart... AT ALL!

5) Not Getting to Celebrate Holidays at Home is Gonna Be Harder Than You Think

No Haunted Houses or Halloween Parties with friends. No Thanksgiving with all that yummy food...

6) Long Distance Relationships Are Even Harder Than Everyone Says

While social media helps couples to communicate more frequently then in the past, it also makes things incredibly hard... seeing other couples enjoying themselves without a care in the world. THEY. DON'T. KNOW. THE. STRUGGLE!

7) ...BUT They Are 1000% Worth It

If your relationship can grow and thrive from thousands of miles away, its built to last. Our world is so built upon instant gratification. Learning how to be patient and wait for what you truly want takes a boat load of effort, but its by far one of the most rewarding things that I have ever done.

8) The Educational System Will Be Different: Just Accept It

This sounds incredibly obvious, but its true. In the US, I have lots of homework and tests and quizzes to study for, while attending class twice a week for each subject. In England, I only attend class for each subject once a week and have no graded assignments. However, my entire grade for each class rests upon a single essay, which is crazy stressful.

9) Try New Things and Make New Friends

This is one thing that I wish I pursued more while abroad. While I have pushed my comfort zone (especially by joining CrossFit) and have made a couple of great friends, I wish that I would have made this more of a priority early on.

10) Your Host Country Will Always Have a Piece of Your Heart

While part of me can't wait to be home for the holidays, I struggle to think I may never live here again. England, part of my heart will always lie with you.

11 Signs You've Found The Ultimate Friend Group

They are the types of friends you have for life.

Western Washington University

2165

Photo by Elizeu Dias on Unsplash

If I have learned one thing in my lifetime, it is that friends are a privilege. No one is required to give you their company and yet there is some sort of shared connection that keeps you together. And from that friendship, you may even find yourself lucky enough to have a few more friends, thus forming a group. Here are just a few signs that prove your current friend group is the ultimate friend group.

Keep Reading...Show less

friends

Entertainment

8 Things All Siblings Know Too Well

As told by Ross and Monica Geller.

Clarion University

1632

FanPop

When it comes to television, there’s very few sets of on-screen siblings that a lot of us can relate to. Only those who have grown up with siblings knows what it feels like to fight, prank, and love a sibling. Ross and Monica Geller were definitely overbearing and overshared some things through the series of "Friends," but they captured perfectly what real siblings feel in real life. Some of their antics were funny, some were a little weird but all of them are completely relatable to brothers and sisters everywhere.

Keep Reading...Show less

ross and monica

Lifestyle

11 Types Of Sorority Girls

Who really makes up your chapter...

University of Connecticut

1608

Owl Eyes Magazine

College is a great place to meet people, especially through Greek life. If you look closely at sororities, you'll quickly see there are many different types of girls you will meet.

1. The Legacy.

Her sister was a member, her mom was a member, all of her aunts were members, and her grandma was a member. She has been waiting her whole life to wear these letters and cried hysterically on bid day. Although she can act entitled at times, you can bet she is one of the most enthusiastic sisters.

Keep Reading...Show less

sorority girls

Lifestyle

10 Reasons Why Life Is Better In The Summertime

Winter blues got you down? Summer is just around the corner!

Westfield State University

1393

coconut tree near shore within mountain range

Photo by Elizeu Dias on Unsplash

Every kid in college and/or high school dreams of summer the moment they walk through the door on the first day back in September. It becomes harder and harder to focus in classes and while doing assignments as the days get closer. The winter has been lagging, the days are short and dark, and no one is quite themselves due to lack of energy and sunlight. Let's face it: life is ten times better in the summertime.