It feels odd to be writing this concluding post now, because in many ways my adventures abroad are just beginning. I ended classes the last week of April (but it feels like longer), turned in all my finals weeks ago, and I’ve spent the past month visiting friends and traveling in England, Scotland, Ireland, and Spain. Right now, I’m gearing up for one last quick weekend trip to Stratford-Upon-Avon (a.k.a. Shakespeare Nerd Holy Land) before I set off on my six-week backpacking trip throughout Europe with my friends from Boston. A lot is happening very quickly, so I’m glad I have this time to spend in London, a city I now proudly call home, to sit down and reflect on my time across the pond.
How have you changed personally?
I was actually just telling a friend about this the other day, how it’s rare to feel yourself changing in the moment. You often don’t notice you’re different until long after the process is complete. But since I settled into life in London, and especially since I’ve been traveling around Europe and the U.K., I have felt myself grown more independent, and gain perspective on my life. My world is getting bigger and bigger the more I see of it, and as a result, the problems I had before seem much smaller. I can be extremely neurotic, and get worked up over insignificant issues, and that doesn’t happen to me as much anymore. I’ve been maturing ever since I came to college, and this experience has been one more huge push towards adulthood. I feel years older than I was when I stepped off the plane at Heathrow Airport in January.
How have your professional and/or academic goals changed?
I realized shortly before studying abroad that, while I had thought for years that I wanted to be an actor, that’s not where my only passions lie. I discovered that directing and playwriting were not just things that I enjoyed, but things that I was actually good at, possibly more so than acting. I acted in a play at Queen Mary, and while I had a great time with the cast and creative team, what I really wanted to be doing was directing. I loved being a part of the Playwriting Society, sharing ideas with other writers and even making a connection with a professional playwright in London from my hometown in Illinois who gave me some amazing feedback on the play I’m currently writing. A huge turning point for me came when I took a master class at the Almeida Theatre as part of their free programming for people under the age of 25. One of the actors leading the class asked who wanted to be an actor, and my hand didn’t go up. When he asked what I wanted to do, without even really thinking about it, I said directing and playwriting. I still love acting and I plan on doing more of it, but in that moment, that gut reaction to not put up my hand, all the debating that’s been going on in my head about what I want to be doing with my life suddenly became very clear and very real. I want to write and direct plays. I have no idea how I’m going to go about doing that as a career, but that’s what I want to do. Good thing I have another year at Northeastern to figure it out.
What self-discovery surprised you?
Apart from the moment I just mentioned above, the fact that I am a huge introvert. I’ve found amazing friends in Boston that I consider my family. I’m extremely comfortable around them, so I forgot how hard it is to make those kinds of connections with people. It was difficult for me to jump into a new university with new people and a new student theatre company and put myself out there and really get involved (I got there, but it took a long time). On the more positive end of the introvert spectrum, I discovered that I really like being alone. I’ve made some wonderful friends abroad, but I’ve also been able to see so much of London because I learned to love going out on my own, exploring the city, going to the theatre, going to museums on my own time.
How did you navigate through your fears and apprehensions that you had prior to studying abroad?
In January, I wrote in my journal shortly before getting on the plane to London about how anxious I was that I wouldn’t take full advantage of my time abroad, that I would spend my time doing things that I could do in Boston (like watching Netflix in bed). So, being the semi-neurotic, Type A person I am, I made lists (upon lists upon lists) of everything I wanted to do and see—museums, landmarks, plays, restaurants, pubs, shops, literally everything and anything I could think of. And every time I would see something cool going on in London, I would add it to the list. At first it was daunting, looking at this vast document of possibilities, but as time went on and I crossed off more items, I began to realize that it’s both impossible and insane to try and do everything, and it’s okay to just want to relax sometimes. Study abroad is not a holiday—we’re not meant to cram everything in and be active all day every day. We’re actually living in these cities, and while it’s important to absorb as much of the local culture as possible, rest days are also key for the sake of sanity.
How has studying abroad impacted your view of the world?
This is going to sound both stupid and obvious, but the world is a big place. I’ve had some opportunities to travel prior to study abroad but not much, and while I’m doing a great deal of it now, there’s still so much of the world I want to see. My wanderlust isn’t satiated the more places I go; it only grows stronger. Travel has not been a priority in my life thus far, and I want to change that. I’ve learned so much about places I’ve been so far and the people that populate them, and I know my worldview is going to expand infinitely once I begin this backpacking trip. I’ve been astounded by the beauty I’ve seen, and places like the Scottish Highlands or the Cliffs of Moher make me feel so small. Not insignificant, but like I’m a part of something much larger than myself. It’s an incredible feeling, and I don’t want to lose it moving forward.
Single greatest benefit of studying abroad?
Narrowing it down to one is nearly impossible, but the sheer amount of theatre to which I’ve been exposed in London. I’ve had the privilege of seeing some truly astounding plays (some of the best I’ve ever seen in my entire life), and they have inspired me as an artist to get to work so I can create something of which I am proud.
What was your favorite experience and why?
I’ve sat here for about ten minutes now trying to choose one memory so I’m just going to pick one of the five that I’ve been tossing around in my head: seeing Harry Potter and the Cursed Child in the West End with the original cast, because I felt as if I was both a very small child again, listening to a brand new Harry Potter story for the first time, and also exactly the age I am now, being astounded by the incredible performances theatre magic (which seemed to cross over into real magic) they were able to put on that stage. Two of my greatest loves, Harry Potter and theatre, finally met, and it was beautiful. I don’t think I stopped smiling the whole day, and anything that brings me that much joy deserves to be written about here.
Would you study abroad again?
In a heartbeat.
Where and why?
Either in Edinburgh because I fell hopelessly in love with that city and Scotland as a whole, or somewhere in Spain to improve my Spanish (also because Spain is gorgeous and I did not have enough time there).
What advice would you give to future participants?
Be fearless. Talk to people in your classes, at meetings of the society you joined, even at the hostel you’re staying at, even if the thought of doing so terrifies you to your very core. Make as many friends as you can from as many places as you can so you can go back and visit one day. Fall in love with at least one thing in your city and know that thing inside and out (in my case, this was theatre). If possible, do all your schoolwork before you travel so you can truly enjoy each place you go without any responsibilities. Take more pictures than you think are necessary. Keep in a journal, even if you think you’re a terrible writer. You’ll want to remember this time.
I’m signing off for the last time, and I’m off to see the world! I hope you enjoyed reading my blog, and that it convinced some of you to study abroad before you leave Northeastern. It’s the best decision I ever made, and the biggest adventure of my life. Cheers!
“I go to seek a great perhaps.” –Francois Rabelais
