Josie Mays

Reflection: 

Top 5 skills gained through studying abroad:

1. Resilience- During studying abroad you are pushed out of your comfort zone a lot. While it is easy to let that limit you, it is important to be resilient and keep going. One example of this was when I was hiking to the top of a mountain in the Alps. The hike was extremely difficult and had a large elevation. There were multiple times when we questioned whether or not we should just turn back, but we did not. After multiple hours of hiking, almost attacked by a goat, and a few falls, we reached the top. While we were exhausted, it was all worth it when we finished. Had I not practiced resilience I would not have felt the sense of accomplishment that I did. I could not say that I climb up a mountain in the Alps. 

2. Adaptability- Being in a new country, there are many differences that you must adapt to. One example of this was being in a country with another language. While I do speak some German, I still struggled to communicate with the locals. This meant that I would have to find workarounds to explain what it was I was trying to say. I made it a goal to practice adaptability and speak as much German as possible so that I could grow my language skills. By the end of the trip, I found I was more confident in my German and was better able to speak with others. 

3. Communication- Prior to this trip, the only roommate I ever had was my younger sister so rooming with strangers for a month was a big shift. This meant that communication was very important. While I absolutely loved my roommates and feel I have made amazing friendships, our personalities clashed at times like in any rooming situation. We learned how to properly communicate how we were feeling and then were able to come up with a solution that worked for all of us. Oftentimes, the solution was simply a little bit of time away from one another. I now feel as though I can properly communicate my needs in order to prevent further conflict. 

4. Confidence- As I mentioned above, I feel I have gained confidence in many aspects of my life. One example of this was the use of public transportation. My sense of direction is definitely not something I prided myself on, so I was often nervous about finding my way around in a new country. I found my confidence in myself grow as quickly learned how to understand the maps and pick the best routes. It seems small, however, it was a reminder that I can figure things out on my own and that I am capable of more things than I realize. 

5. Independence- I have lived with my mom my entire life and while I am very thankful for the support she has given me, I feel I often lacked independence. Being in Europe away from my family, this is something I learned a lot about. Prior to the study abroad, I was not the type of person to do things even as simple as getting food alone. This was something I quickly had to overcome. Being abroad, I had to find food, go to the store, and navigate public transportation. This really pushed me out of my comfort zone and I feel made me a more independent person. Being home now, I do not feel the same fear I once did when doing simple tasks on my own. 

How does it feel to be back? 

Being back, I feel very nostalgic for my time abroad. I find myself continuously looking back at photos and videos and feeling a sense of homesickness. I am incredibly thankful for the experiences I had and feel as though I am a better person because of it. While in Europe, I feared that when I returned I would go back to my safe and simple life and not push myself out of my comfort zone. While it may not be as much as in Europe, I am actively working to continue to grow my experiences and push myself. One of the hardest parts about leaving for me was missing the people. I feel I have made amazing friendships this past month and it is a big adjustment to go from seeing everyone every day to not. With that being said, I want to try my best and continue to grow all the relationships I made abroad. 

What do I miss most?

1. One thing I miss is the sense of adventure I felt every day. I never knew where each day would take me or who I would meet. I had some amazing experiences and met a lot of interesting people. I hope to keep this want for adventure now that I am back in the States by doing small things every day. It could be as simple as exploring a new park or going up to a stranger and starting a conversation. 

2. Another aspect of the study abroad that I miss is the people. I made some of the most amazing friendships while on this trip, and that was one of the hardest parts about leaving. Living with one another for a month, we all got really close and learned so much about one another. I plan on continuing to foster these friendships and use what I learned to create new ones in the future. 

3. Another part of the study abroad experience that I miss is the exposure to new cultures. I love to learn about and explore how other people live and I believe the best way to do this is through travel. However, that is not always attainable so there are many other ways to continue to learn and expand my horizons. One of the easiest ways is the internet. I plan on watching videos, looking for new recipes, and reading articles about other cultures as much as I can. I hope that one day I will be able to travel or study abroad again and experience them myself.