It has been a month since I returned to the US from my semester abroad in Budapest, Hungary and I have been reflecting on how this unique opportunity has changed me. I realize that I’ve now fundamentally changed from the version of myself who departed for Europe five months ago.
First and foremost, I have learned to be a much more clear and effective communicator. Although English was widely spoken amongst my peers in Budapest and in most of the other places I traveled to, most of these people spoke English as a second language and thus had a more limited vocabulary and lacked understanding of American slang. Because of this, I had to modify the way I spoke and communicated, being much more concise and refraining from using American cultural references or colloquial language. On the other side of communication, I learned to be a much better listener, being able to use context to bridge any gaps of meaning. I also gained insight into being a more culturally sensitive communicator. Doing research and educating myself about the countries I visited and the cultures I immersed myself in allowed me to be more informed and behave accordingly which opened many doors for me. When I showed people that I actually had an interest in their country, language, and culture, I would often see an immediate shift in how people interacted with me after they saw that I wasn’t just another ignorant American tourist.
Another area of my life that has seen significant growth is risk taking. I previously was a very risk averse person, often declining opportunities that came my way to remain in my comfort zone. When I was studying and traveling to places so different and far from home, there were often no options and I was forced to take risks, challenge myself, and ultimately grow in many ways. I am now much more confident, willing to try new things, and more open and accepting to what life may throw at me.
Next, my overall life outlook and philosophy has shifted significantly. After seeing much more of the world, experiencing a true sense of freedom, and witnessing so many different outlooks on life, I am now left with a longing to continue moving and see even more of what the world holds. I also feel much more steadfast in what I desire in life. Often I’ve felt caged in and just going along with the current or other people’s expectations. Being completely free to make my own decisions and go exactly where I want to go has changed this for me. Now I feel much more open to pursuing a truer sense of freedom and living my life on my own terms. My values have changed somewhat as well. I now have a strong preference for unique and moving experiences over material wealth or items.
To conclude, my five or so months abroad has been one of the most significant periods of change and growth in my life. I feel like this experience has made me a stronger person, personally, academically, and professionally. I would recommend studying abroad to anyone, but with an added caveat. For better or for worse, you will never look at life the same way again.
