Four months ago I boarded a non-stop flight to London leaving family, friends and the two places I call home behind. Throughout the six-hour flight, I contemplated whether I was making the right decision, leaving everything I have ever known in my rearview. I came to Europe searching for adventure and once-in-a-lifetime experiences. Instead, I found myself.

Every student's abroad experience is different but upon returning, I have heard many say that it was the best experience of their young lives. I have loved my time across the pond and I am already starting to realize its true value. While this experience allowed me to travel, relax and have fun, it has also made me more reflective. Looking back I was always stressed out from being a college student with a lot on his plate. Over here, it's as if life has slowed down for me. I realize that I have one year left as an undergrad and I should make the most of my remaining time.

I remember during my sophomore year I would constantly ask myself, "Why do people go abroad and leave all of this fun behind?" And for me that was a question I could not find the answer to for the longest time. I had no thoughts of leaving good ole' New England, but I realized that maybe studying abroad would help me step out of my comfort zone. I have always been anxious in new environments and struggled with starting over. Studying abroad has helped me immensely in terms of being comfortable in new environments. When you are halfway across the world and do not have the option of going home, you have to adapt.

I can pinpoint a few moments on this trip I will remember for the rest of my life that most people would not consider memorable. Such as standing on Millennium Bridge overlooking London with a few of my best friends - Nate, Mike, Matt and Zach - and just thinking about all of the decisions we had made in life that got us to this point. What if we never went to Stonehill? Where would we be? It seems as if everything has fallen into place even through our own personal adversities.

Abroad has changed the way I think about my family, my friendships and my decisions. My parents challenged me but always let me explore and make mistakes so that I could learn from them. My friends, whether that be at home or at Stonehill, always gave me valuable advice and moments I hold near and dear to my heart. All of these factors led me to go abroad. I needed to prove to myself that I could leave my life behind and live in another culture for four months. Well, I did it, and I've become a much better Me in the process.