Looking Back on My Year Abroad in America!

By Ava Griffiths, University of Wisconsin, Madison, USA

Written on June 8th, 2024:

My time abroad is swiftly drawing to a close, with my flight back to London in just two days. As I sit in one of my favorite coffee shops, Collectivo, here in Madison, I’m struggling to find the words to reflect on the past nine months. It’s been a whirlwind of a month, racing across eight different states, trying to experience as much of this vast country as possible before heading home. Now that I’m back in Madison, I finally have a moment to process the fact that I’ll be leaving for good. It is a strange feeling.

On one hand, there is the obvious excitement of returning home, reuniting with family, friends, and all the comforts of life that I’ve been without for so long. But on the other hand, there’s a deep sense of sadness that comes with leaving behind the life I’ve built here. Madison has become a place filled with unforgettable memories. It’s hard to imagine saying goodbye to this chapter.

Nine Months Later: Four Key Lessons I’ve Learned During My Time Abroad (Among Many Others!)

Go Abroad. 

It may seem obvious, but honestly, if you have the chance to go abroad, take it. It’s an incredible experience, one I miss dearly and think about almost every day, even though I’ve been home for 9 months. Living in a new country exposes you to different people, perspectives, and ideas, all of which help broaden your understanding of the world around you. At least, that’s been my experience. Saying yes to going abroad means embracing countless amazing opportunities, both during your time abroad and long after you return.

It’s Okay to Have Bad Days. 

There’s often an unspoken expectation that because you’re studying abroad, every day should be incredible and you should always feel great, or else you might be wasting your opportunity. The pressure to constantly be having a good time can make something as simple as a quiet night in feel like you’re missing out. I know this pressure all too well! Of course, you should be open to new experiences, but it’s also perfectly okay to take a day to yourself when you need it.

Remember, you don’t feel 100% every day at university in Manchester, so why should studying abroad be any different? That’s just part of life! If you have a few days when you’re not feeling your best, it doesn’t mean you’re doing your year abroad wrong, it is simply part of the experience.

Worry Less!

This might sound a bit odd, but going abroad really taught me to worry less. All those initial anxieties, about arriving in a new place, settling into a new apartment, meeting new people, starting with new classmates, and adjusting to a new campus—used to overwhelm me. Of course, those feelings are completely normal, but looking back, I realise I spent so much time stressing, and in the end, everything worked out just fine.

Now, I don’t want to sound naive, it’s totally normal to feel stressed, I mean, you’re moving halfway across the world by yourself! But the little things that you shouldn’t sweat… I remember stressing about having to take a coach from Chicago to Wisconsin a few days before I flew. What if I get on the wrong coach? Where’s the coach station? What if I can’t find it?

Guess what? It was totally fine! So why was I stressing so much? Also, Americans are generally pretty friendly, so just ask for help! What I’m really trying to say is, don’t let the small stuff worry you. It’s a lesson I still carry with me today.

You Will Make Your Year Abroad Your Entire Personality 

Okay, not really, but you’ll definitely want to talk about it non-stop for a while… Nine months later, and I still find myself bringing it up whenever I can! It’s one of those experiences that stays with you, and you’ll want to share the highs, the funny moments, and even the challenges. But you know what? Going abroad is a huge deal, and it’s completely natural to want to talk about it. After all, it’s not every day you get to live in a new country, meet new people, and experience a completely different way of life.