There’s a moment that happens when you’re studying abroad—a small, unexpected shift. It’s when you step onto a train platform in a foreign country, no map in hand, no translation app open, and somehow, instinctively, you know exactly where to go. The once-confusing train schedules and unfamiliar station names no longer feel like an impossible puzzle; they are part of your routine. It might not sound like a big deal, but in that moment, it hits you—you have made a home in a place that once felt so intimidating.
Studying abroad is often pitched as a résumé booster (which it is), but it is so much more than that. It is an experience that fundamentally alters how you see the world—and yourself.
Seeing the World Beyond the Tourist Lens
Most of us experience foreign places through short trips—guided tours, quick city breaks, a blur of Instagrammable moments. But living in another country, even for a semester, is different. You start noticing the small things: how people greet each other, the rhythms of daily life, the unwritten rules that make a culture what it is.
During my own study abroad experience in Utrecht, Netherlands, I saw this firsthand. At first, Utrecht felt like an unsolvable maze—every canal and cobblestone street blending into the next. Bikes zipped past on either side, and I was just trying not to get hit. I relied solely on Google Maps, glancing down at my phone every few steps, second-guessing turns, and sometimes ending up on the opposite side of the city. I knew nothing about the landmarks, canals, restaurants, or bars.
But slowly, without realizing it, I started to trust my own sense of direction. I recognized the curve of a certain bridge, the way the afternoon light hit the Dom Tower. I knew exactly how many steps it took to get to the top, the best canal to sit by. I found my favorite ramen restaurant and befriended the servers at my go-to canal-side café. I discovered the best bars, where I met friends I still talk to today. The tram schedules stopped feeling like a puzzle, and I could weave through the streets without thinking. The city never changed, but my place in it did—I wasn’t just passing through anymore. I belonged there.
Becoming Comfortable With Being Uncomfortable
Living in another country means constantly navigating the unknown. Grocery shopping becomes an adventure. You will mix up words, take the wrong train, and probably embarrass yourself at least once in a café. But that is the point—growth happens in discomfort.
Still, it isn’t always easy. There are moments of homesickness that sneak up on you when you least expect them — like walking past a familiar smell that reminds you of a home-cooked meal or hearing a song you and your friends from home would dance to.
It’s moments like these that make you feel miles away from everything and everyone familiar. The time difference can make it hard to stay in touch, and sometimes it feels like life back home is moving on without you. But before you know it, you start saying “let’s go home” after leaving the bars or asking, “Who wants to go to my place?” to the new friends you meet. The faces around you start to feel familiar, and eventually, they’re the ones you seek. In those moments, you realize that home isn’t always a place — it’s the people. And when you find those people, you can feel at home anywhere.
A survey conducted by the Institute for the International Education of Students (IES Abroad) found that 97% of students who studied abroad reported increased maturity. Additionally, 96% said they gained more self-confidence.
That statistic is more than just numbers—it was my reality in Utrecht. When you are placed in an unfamiliar setting, you have two choices: retreat into what’s comfortable or embrace the challenge. Studying abroad forces you to choose the latter, over and over again. And in the process, you learn that you are more adaptable, resilient, and capable than you ever thought.
A Different Perspective on Your Own Culture
One of the most unexpected parts of studying abroad is how it changes the way you see your own home. Being immersed in another culture makes you realize the quirks of your own—things you take for granted or never questioned before.
Why do Americans rush through meals while Europeans linger at the table for hours? Why do some cultures emphasize collectivism while others prioritize individualism? You start to see your own customs from an outsider’s perspective, questioning things that once felt like the default.
When I returned home, I noticed it more than ever. Suddenly, things that once seemed normal—like driving everywhere instead of walking or the fast-paced, efficiency-driven mindset—stood out in ways they never had before. I never imagined I would miss walking everywhere or living in a city where people biked more than they drove. It was as if I had lived in two realities, and I could no longer unsee the differences.
The Friendships That Transcend Borders
But what truly made the experience life-changing was the people. There is something about experiencing a foreign country together that bonds people in a way few other experiences can.
Some of my closest friends today are people I met while studying abroad. I met people from all over the world—Ireland, Hungary, Canada, the U.K., Belgium, Germany, Austria, Finland, and even some from the U.S. We traveled together, got lost together, shared meals in cities we had only ever seen in movies. We learned about each other’s cultures and families. I even had the chance to visit some of their home countries and see their lives firsthand. Over a year later, we still talk, still reminisce, still dream about meeting up somewhere in the world. Those friendships remind me that home isn’t always a place—it is the people you surround yourself with.
And in the midst of all that, I met my boyfriend, Joe. We started as friends, both trying to find our footing in a new country, both experiencing the same whirlwind of excitement and uncertainty that comes with studying abroad. Somewhere between late nights out with our friends and spontaneous weekend trips, our friendship turned into something more, and we have been together ever since. A year later, we’re still together, still reminiscing about our time in Utrecht, and still grateful that studying abroad didn’t just introduce us to new places—it introduced us to each other.
Learning Beyond the Classroom
While studying abroad challenged me personally, it also transformed my academic experience in ways I never expected. I studied cultural journalism, a program that didn’t keep me in the classroom—it took me across borders and into people’s lives.
As part of the curriculum, I traveled to Berlin, Florence, and Amsterdam. Each city became its own learning environment. In Florence, I had the chance to interview the owner of one of the city’s first bakeries. She shared stories of tradition, community, friendship, and culture. In Amsterdam, I spoke with university professors who brought depth and global perspective to our discussions on media and storytelling. And in Berlin, I met the owner of a hidden speakeasy who told me tales about running a business in a city shaped by history and reinvention.
These were never just assignments—they were stories I got to live. I met people from all over the world and learned to see culture not just as something you read about but as something you feel, taste, and experience firsthand. Each of these encounters, and many more, taught me to ask more—and better—questions, to really listen, and to write stories that feel close to my heart. It taught me passion.
Now back home, I carry those lessons with me, both on and off paper. They have shaped the way I approach my education, how I think about storytelling, and how I engage with the world around me. Studying abroad gave me more than memories—it gave me tools I use every day as a student, writer, and even a friend.
So, Should You Do It?
If you have the opportunity, the answer is yes. Studying abroad isn’t just about academics or travel—it’s about reshaping the way you see the world. It’s about proving to yourself that you can adapt, that you can build a life anywhere, that you are more capable than you ever realized.
And the best part? Long after the semester ends, those experiences stay with you. They shape how you view the world, your confidence, and the way you ultimately move through life. Because once you have stepped out of that box called your comfort zone, it is hard to fit back in—and the world never feels quite as intimidating again.
