It is very hard to write a conclusion to this chapter of my life, partly because I don’t want to end it and also because I really cannot easily say how it has affected me. Most obviously, my choice of major has been reaffirmed. As an attachment to that, my wanderlust has grown to new heights, though whether this is good or bad is up in the air. Other than those, I really cannot say I have personally changed. At this point in my life, moving countries has become the same as moving each semester from Los Angeles to Boston: normal and routine. The only thing I can say is that perhaps I have grown more confident in interacting with people when I need something. But this growth could also be attributed to simply growing up and living in a different state for school.
The only fear and apprehension I had before embarking on my study abroad experience was what the other American students would be like. A Facebook group had been made by the coordinators and like most college students I stalked some of the people on it to see what the other students would be like. Everyone I looked at seemed to be highly religious with all their posts ending with a Bible verse if not more. I am not religious at all and the people I have interacted with my whole life have been either non-religious as well or people who, like me, usually don’t say what they believe in because it’s personal. When I met all of the girls for the first time and they wanted to hold a group bible study, I was worried. It seemed as if I had missed a memo where religion, specifically Christianity, was a necessary item. Luckily, after getting to know them better, I found as long as I avoided certain topics, everyone’s beliefs were left to themselves. I was asked a few times about what being an Atheist was like and it was a good way to learn more about people from places and experiences I’ve never interacted with. It helped me see that though I may not agree with someone’s beliefs, everyone can keep it cordial and not try to change the other person.
In terms of favourite experience, there are so many I enjoyed it is impossible to make a choice. The great thing about studying abroad is that you get to experience so many new things and fall in love with so many new places. I would definitely study abroad again, though I have no idea where I would like to live next. There are so many places in the world, and I can’t wait to try and see as many of them as I can.
