Since I have been somewhat-chronicling my experience overseas this semester in Dublin, Ireland, I thought it only fit to tie up loose ends in the last Reflector of the semester. I wish you well on your exams; I wish you well because I have none. (I say as my maniacal laughter permeates through the room. Oh, gosh, that was loud. I didn’t realize you were reading this in class.) Since I will be home snuggled around the Christmas fire in 11 days from this paper’s release, I (and all the other international students) are exempt from exams here; instead, we have one assignment per class to earn credit. While I can’t say this speaks true for all exchange programs, I have heard it is quite common.
I thought I would reflect on some of my moments while abroad, and encourage you to venture abroad as well. Disclaimer: I realize not everyone may have had an experience similar to mine, so I would like to emphasize that these opinions are based on my personal experience. 
Although my family is from the northeast United States, (I’m pretty sure my mom just recently learned how to hug non-family members.) I was effectively raised in the deep South, aka southeastern Louisiana. Well, going from the warm comfort of southern people (“Do you want some sweet tea? Are you sure? Anything else for you? I could bake a cake?”) to the different European attitude was certainly a change. Example: When walking down the street and making accidental (or purposeful, you charming fellows) eye contact with a stranger, I have gathered it is customary in the South to share a friendly smile with that person. Then, said stranger will return the smile. Well, not here. I don’t know if people can’t be bothered or they just think it’s weird, but I have given so many free smiles out here with nothing in return. So then my innocent smile turns into a creepy smile. Appreciate all the smiles you are getting, people. You don’t know how precious they are.
I was able to make one larger trip while here, and so happened my trip to Paris, France. In Paris, most people you encounter speak English, but they don’t really like to speak it. They like to make your life difficult, trying to squeeze any French out of you they can. (Seriously, French people, my French is non-existent. I would throw you a bone if I could.) Example: We had just gotten this amazing hot chocolate for takeaway (to-go) several blocks away from the Eiffel Tower. The takeaway price was about a euro less per cup than the dine-in cup.  (It is very common here to charge significantly less for food/beverages you get to-go in comparison to purchasing them for dine-in.) We left the café and sat our stuff down on an outside table to get out the map and figure out where we were going to head next. The French barista, who had been seemingly confused when we were asking her questions about ordering hot chocolate inside, came outside less than 60 seconds later and said, in clear English, “You can’t sit here. You ordered these drinks for takeaway, and that price is less than if you were going to drink them here.”
What this trip taught me how much we should all appreciate living in America. I have met so many people here who want to vacation to the States (when it is five times more expensive than flying to, say, Italy) or live in the States upon graduation. We do have so much diversity in terms of weather, terrain and culture. And, we have Disney World! But good or bad, it is worth it to study abroad.
Whether it shows you a new place you consider another home or makes you appreciate the home you do have, you’re sure to have an unforgettable experience. And, did I mention a study abroad program looks great on a resume? Pretty much any employer will flat-out tell you seeing that experience on a resume will benefit you. If a relationship with a significant other is holding you back, don’t let it.
If the person you are with doesn’t encourage self-discovery and exploration, he or she is probably not the person for you. Working through a long-distance relationship for a short period of time will really show you if that relationship is meant to sink or swim. It strengthens parts of the relationship you may not have even realized needed strengthening.
There are a ton of scholarships that make studying abroad completely economically feasible, and if you have any other concerns or hesitations, just make an appointment with the Study Abroad Department today. They’ll be happy to help.