An ode to studying abroad

My fellow travelers who have finished your journeys overseas, allow me to speak for all of us.

I am by no means rejecting the warmth and comfort of coming back home from months being away, but for me and many of my friends, who had the time of our lives studying abroad, being home is now a cold reality we have to face.

Bored of the repetitive routine in Madison where, let’s be honest, life is a bit too slow for someone coming from a metropolitan city like me. I decided it was time to get away, so I embarked on a one-year journey to London, England and Seoul, South Korea.

The entire experience is simply indescribable. Despite wanting to avoid the sentimental “I’ve changed so much” cliché, I don’t think there’s any other way to describe the impact this trip had on me.

I learned so much from the cities, the schools, and the local people. I cannot thank those I encountered enough in this experience hopping across two countries. They are the best human beings, whom I feel so lucky to have chanced upon. We laughed, cried, and grew together. We inspired each other in many ways. The friendships we formed are priceless.

You know what the best perk of making friends from all around the world is? It’s having a free tour guide and a place to stay almost everywhere you’ll travel to, be it Europe, Asia, Australia, or South America.

Unfortunately, all good things must come to an end. Reality beckons and snaps you out of the seemingly perfect world. Returning to UW-Madison, I felt like a freshman again after being away for a whole year. The city has slightly changed. The people, including myself, have changed, too. It was easy to feel a little overwhelmed and misplaced. Then come the nights when I fall into the post-study abroad depression and whirlpool of emotions. When immense nostalgia comes in waves, I indulge myself in going through the 5,000 photos taken on the trip.

It is a never-ending reminiscence. I’m still working on readjusting to this slow-paced life (and trying not to mention my experience in nearly every conversation).

All of a sudden, I’ve also considered myself an English and Korean food critic. No matter how hard I try to relive the good times by going to restaurants to eat the cuisines, nothing tastes authentic. My study-abroad friends and I would usually find ourselves complaining “This isn’t right!”

In retrospect, did the year abroad broaden my mind and knowledge? Yes. Was it worth all the effort, money and time? Absolutely. Would I do it again if given the chance? No doubt, over and over again. I haven’t yet met anyone who doesn’t want to go abroad again after their exchange semesters. Some even want to go back to work in the future. It is as if the experience has sparked our desire to fearlessly travel the world.

To anyone who’s unsure whether they should go or having a slightest intention to study abroad: Go. Please go while you still can. If it’s affordable and doesn’t interfere with your academic plans, don’t hesitate to leave. The memories and lessons from a semester abroad will stay with you for the rest of your life.