I got home from Belize today, and I already miss it so much. It was incredibly hard to leave. I made so many memories I’ll never forget and friendships I hope will last for years to come. I started off the trip feeling nervous, unsure if I had made the right choice—especially since a lot went wrong the first day. I even found myself wanting to go home when I was tired. But I kept reminding myself how much I would miss it once I actually was home, and I’m so glad I stuck with it.
This definitely wasn’t your typical relaxing study abroad trip. Since it was a 6-credit-hour course, we had 14-hour days filled with research and hands-on learning. We’d wake up at 7 a.m., have breakfast, and head out for a two-hour morning snorkel at a new site each day. After lunch and a short break, we’d go back out for an afternoon snorkel. Our days ended with evening lectures on fish, marine life, or conservation topics. It was exhausting but incredibly rewarding.
One part I didn’t think I’d enjoy was journaling. We had to write about each day and draw pictures of what we saw. I’m not great at drawing, so I wasn’t excited about it at first—but it turned out to be one of my favorite parts. It helped me really process everything we did and saw, and by the end of the trip, I could identify so many different fish species.
There are moments that will stay with me forever—like the first time I saw a spotted eagle ray gliding through the water. It was beautiful and surreal, and one of those experiences that makes you stop and appreciate how lucky you are to be in that exact moment.
What made the trip even more special was getting to know my classmates and professor outside of a traditional classroom setting. Study abroad creates a kind of bond that’s hard to form otherwise. I also loved getting to experience a new culture—the people in Belize were so welcoming, and I learned a lot from just being there, observing, and listening.
Looking back, I’m proud of myself. This trip pushed me out of my comfort zone and helped me grow more than I expected. I gained confidence, built meaningful relationships, and developed a deeper appreciation for marine life and conservation. It was bittersweet saying goodbye, especially knowing I may never return to Belize or see some of the people I met again—but I’m so grateful for every part of the journey.
I would absolutely recommend studying abroad to anyone. It’s not always easy, but it’s worth every moment. This trip changed me in ways I’m still figuring out, and I wouldn’t trade the experience for anything.
