to my friends who are off to see the world
I lost count how many people have messaged me within the last few weeks asking for advice about traveling/studying abroad/being alone.
And the one thing I want to emphasize is that traveling can be damn scary. It's not as glamorous as it ALWAYS appears to be on social media and it is completely normal to be nervous. That's all part of the experience!
With that, I always laugh a little when people applaud me for the life I'm apparently living. Because of 1. I have social anxiety and I constantly worry that I won't make friends or meet people. (ask Navid, he knows) 2. I can be naive and too trusting, where I put myself through questionable situations. (sorry mom) 3. A majority of the time I don't know what I am doing or where I am going, but I've learned to just go with the flow and hope for the best!
But, what I have learned is that traveling is terrifying and it forces you to be uncomfortable, but these steps forward challenges your personal growth (wahoo!) and add EXCITEMENT TO LIFE (because "life begins at the end of your comfort zone")!
First of all, I am so proud of you for taking a HUGE leap forward. Not everyone can build up the courage to willingly travel and live in a foreign country. At least for me, Seattle can feel stagnant. The beautiful reality of traveling is that you're constantly experiencing something unfamiliar, making lifelong friends, and meeting new people, who each have their unique stories and background. From my time abroad, I have concluded that it requires a certain mentality to have a desire to travel. It requires an open mind and a willingness to learn, and you'll find these attributes in the many travelers you'll come across!
For me, my usual cycle of emotions consists of excitement months before my anticipated trip, a mini panic attack on the day flying out, being completely uncomfortable as I adjust to my new environment, and then a whole lotta love and happiness as I acclimate and connect with people. Traveling comes along with its many ups and downs, and it gets the best of everyone!
We've all seen those memes of people mocking those who come home after spending time abroad. Well, guess what. You'll catch yourself being that bitch referring to different cultural experiences when you were in "..." because time will FLY by and you're going to have the time of your life! So be nervous now, but just imagine how happy you will be toward the end of your trip. Everything always works out! And most importantly, remember to LIVE IN THE MOMENT. Just for a hot second, ditch the electronics, spend less time taking photos, appreciate your surroundings, and make meaningful connections with the new people you'll encounter.
So as you embark on your new journey, just remember POSITIVE THOUGHTS, be OPEN MINDED, and it is completely OKAY to be nervous! tschüss!
Last note: Don't forget that you ALWAYS have a support system and plenty of people you can talk to back home. My first few days in Germany was rough and I was lonely. I found myself reaching out to people back home who had gone through similar experiences as I was experiencing then. Not only was it reassuring to receive advice from others, but it was a nice reminder that I have people I can always fall back on when things go awry. So to the many people back home (especially Sy, GABE, Michelle, Navid, Ansul, Emily, Naina, Hannah, etc etc) who kept me company when I had my ups and downs, this blog post is for you!
POSITIVE THOUGHTS AND REMINDERS!
STUDY ABROAD PROGRAM:
You're traveling in a foreign country with a group of other university students. You can easily find some common ground.
You have a professor to "hold" your hand.
You'll experience a few or many culture shocks, yet you can go through those challenges together.
You'll find yourself constantly learning more about yourself and the country you're residing in!
If you're worried that you don't know anyone / won't connect with people in your program, don't worry! When you're going through so much unfamiliarity, those experiences instantaneously bring people together. For example, my study abroad cohort in Chile was a mash of random personalities, yet by the end of the program, we became the best of friends.
TRAVELING ALONE:
You have the wonderful freedom to do whatever you want whether that's spending endless hours at a museum or going to a park to people watch! NO ONE IS HOLDING YOU BACK.
At least for me, I'm more inclined to talk to strangers when I'm traveling alone, and honestly, I've made some lifelong friends from random encounters with other travelers.
Trust your instincts. Be conscious of the situations you get yourself in and of course, safety comes first (ex. cut out the alcohol).
How to meet people:
At your hostel (the dorm room, the bar, social activities, etc.)
Seek out other solo travelers when you're exploring a city alone. I usually ask them to take a photo for me as a way to start a conversation. lmao.
Fun fact: In a random small town in Germany, I asked a guy named Patrick to take my photo because I heard him speak English. I would learn that Patrick graduated from UW a few years ago and he was about to start his Master's in Physics at the university I am interning at. crazy small world!Go on a free walking tour or pub crawl! You'll definitely meet people, and potentially make further plans with! Don't forget to share contact information with people you hit it off with! You never know when you'll reconnect! For example, I befriended a girl in Prague, and we're planning to travel to Paris together this upcoming weekend!
At the end of the day, remember to be safe, yet enjoy the excitement and freedom of being alone! This is YOUR experience and you can make it be whatever you want it to be!! This is the reason why I'm loving my time in Germany, and I don't want this to end.