After spending nearly four months in London, home feels a little bit different. Maybe because a part of me considers London to be home now. It’s amazing how quickly people adapt to change, isn’t it? Just a few months ago, I was nervous. I didn’t know how long it would take me to “get used” to living in London. I was afraid the Tube would be hard to navigate, and I honestly I didn’t know if I would even like living in a big city. It turns out I had worried over nothing as London was an absolute dream.
I was asked to reflect on how (and if) my identity has influenced my experiences and if people with different identities experience the world differently.
Yes. This is something that I thought about often in London actually: no two study abroad experiences are the same – in fact, no two lives are the same. Everyday we wake up and have different routines, goals, and dreams. This is what makes us all so special as human beings… and also an example of how we can learn from each other.
I learned a lot over the semester. I learned about International Finance and Global Workforce Management in the classroom, I learned about the business development cycle and how to successfully grow a startup from day one at my internship, and I learned how to be a mediator with the people I shared a flat with. Most importantly, I learned about myself. I learned that I am capable. I am capable of taking care of myself and others, I am capable of growing a business and initiating new strategies, and I am capable of successfully planning international travel.
I pushed myself over the semester. I pushed myself to try new things, face my fears, and embrace the journey. I realized my strengths and also my weaknesses. However, I reminded myself that it’s okay to make mistakes and continued to better myself the best I could.
I grew as a person. I grew to realize that I am so much stronger, capable, and braver than I thought I was. I also practiced being okay with feeling uncomfortable. It’s truly all part of the process. So yes, my identity influenced my experience in London – for the better.
Thank to Rollins and everyone who made my semester abroad possible. It was an experience of a lifetime.