The Truth About Studying Abroad: Nicole Bloodgood’s Semester in Greece
by Nicole Bloddgood, TLU Senior, Integrated Science
From content in online spaces, to the posters you see around Tschoepe Hall, studying abroad seems like it would be the adventure of a lifetime—especially when you hear claims about how “life-changing” the experience can be. It almost sounds too good to be true.
But when I first landed in my host country (Greece), exhausted from the long flight, I remember looking around my new apartment and asking myself how I ended up in this situation. Fearful thoughts and a tinge of regret were swimming in my mind, and it only hit me in that moment that an entire ocean was separating me from my loved ones and wonderful school community. Was I brave enough to embark on this kind of adventure? Could I study abroad “correctly,” and be one of those people who could support the idea that it is, indeed, life-changing?
Now, nearly two months after coming home, I can’t help but be amused by how wrong I was approaching the whole notion of spending a semester in another country. Yes, the gorgeous views that are showcased on Instagram Reels do exist, and each day, whether it’s an average Monday in class or a weekend of exploration, does feel like an adventure. Nothing about studying abroad is too good to be true, but it’s because your experience will not look like anyone else’s. Common themes do persist among how most students reflect on the time they spent away, but your life will be changed because of experiencing the challenges and opportunities that are unique to (and meant for) you.
As an example, you’ll often hear about the cool friends people make from around the world, and the dream-like memories that are made with them. For someone as introverted as myself, I wasn’t sure if this was something I’d ever be able to relate to. Yet I managed to cross paths with some very fateful individuals, and in hindsight, it’s difficult to imagine getting through my semester abroad without them. Moreso, I don’t believe I could become the person I’m meant to be without knowing them first. My amazing study abroad cohort, incredible classmates, lovely church community, and travel acquaintances have left me with unforgettable memories and new lenses through which I view the larger world. I believe studying abroad has a way of connecting you with those who will become lifelong friends and allowing you to meet the kind of people you once prayed to know.
On a related note, the opportunities to connect with new, interesting people can appear in more ways than just friendships. Getting to know your instructors, as well as professionals in your field of academic interest, allows you to expand your existing technical knowledge while approaching your ambitions with a diversified and meaning-filled perspective. Having the ability to shadow two Athens-based physicians and engaging in community learning with my psychology professors provided me with both new skills and some of my favorite study abroad memories. Learning about a completely different healthcare system, observing the ways in which cultural values affect medical practices, and gaining an understanding of the Greek lifestyle (as it relates to health and well-being) was incredibly fascinating. As I get closer to graduating and applying to medical school, I can’t wait to see the ways in which my experiences prove to be relevant to the interactions and next steps that will take place in my academic journey.
Another way that studying abroad fosters learning is that it offers the opportunity to see other countries that you have an interest in. Using free weekends to visit bucket list destinations and charting new waters are some of the best ways to further broaden your worldview. In addition to visiting different regions in Greece and already feeling transformed by those experiences, being able to explore Paris, parts of Norway, and Vienna were incredible privileges of mine. Interacting with new cultures and languages, braving a variety of public transit options, and existing among complete strangers prompted a great deal of both growth and reflection within. I’d collected these places as top dream destinations over the course of years, and it was surreal to finally walk their streets. As mentioned previously, studying abroad has a way of bringing you to not only the right people, but also to some of the places you’re meant to exist in, even if only for a moment.
When I took one last look around my apartment before heading to the Athens airport to fly home in December, memories of my first day of the semester came to mind. The sweaty, terrified girl who solemnly unpacked her bags was now lugging them outside the door that was, at first, very difficult to unlock (literally and metaphorically). Three months later, closing that door would prove to be an even greater challenge, as that meant closing a book containing endless stories with compelling characters, unexpected plot twists, and the most beautiful seasons of growth and change. What once sounded too good to be true ended up being more perfectly imperfect than I could have ever believed. A series of ups and downs, lessons learned, and places ventured did make for a life-changing experience, a pocket of time that was completely meant for me. At the risk of sounding a bit dramatic, I think I can now view my personal trajectory in two distinct phases: the person I was before and after studying abroad. I was exactly where I was meant to be when I boarded the departing plane, and a better, renewed, and more authentic version of myself when I reunited with my loved ones in the San Antonio airport. All in all, I did have the adventure of a lifetime, and I would encourage anyone to seek out their own by studying abroad, wherever they feel called to be.