Four Moments That Made Me Realize Why I Studied Abroad

When people ask why I studied abroad, I usually say something simple like “to travel” or “to experience a new culture.” But the real reason didn’t hit me right away. It showed up slowly, in random moments that made my friends and I turn to each other and say "wow. This is why we came here". 

1. Lake Bled 

Lake Bled was the first time I felt genuinely calm since getting abroad. Everything was quiet in a way I’m not used to. The water was still, the air felt clean, and nothing felt rushed. I remember just standing there and realizing I wasn’t thinking about what I needed to do next or where I had to be. I wasn’t stressed. I wasn’t trying to take the perfect photo. I was just there. It made me realize how rarely I let myself slow down at home. At home it feels like I am constantly running from one thing to the next, but here everything was still and quiet. Being abroad gave me space to pause, and Lake Bled was the first place where that really sunk in.

2. Budapest Parliment 

Budapest felt like the opposite of Lake Bled in the best way. We were on a river cruise at night, sailing past the Parliament building while it was completely lit up, and it didn’t feel real. It was one of those moments where everyone goes quiet for a second because you’re all thinking the same thing: how is this our life right now?

What made it even better was being there with my close friends from CMC. Sharing something that cool with people who know you so well makes it hit differently. It reminded me that studying abroad isn’t just about independence, it’s also about connection, and about building memories with people you’ll carry with you for the rest of your life.  So, when I am studying in my college library next month, this will be a feeling I will hold to keep things in perspective. 

3. Hallstatt at Sunrise

Hallstatt felt like we were dropped right into a fairytale. There were swans on the water, mountains everywhere, a light layer of frost, and everything looked fake. Walking around, I couldn’t stop thinking about watching Frozen with my younger sister when we were little and how magical those places felt on screen and now I was actually there. Being abroad gave me experiences that let me live out some of my childhood dreams and others that physically took my breath away.

4. My Last Night In Vienna

The moment that hit me the hardest was my last night in Vienna. We walked through the First District, looking at the lights and Christmas markets one last time, and everything felt familiar. We ran into people from our program, stopped to talk, exchanged contact information, and said our goodbyes. That’s when it really sunk in that Vienna wasn’t just where I studied, it was a place that had become part of me. I had routines here. Favorite cafes. Memories tied to random corners of the city. Walking through it for the last time, I realized that even though I was leaving, a piece of me would always stay here and I would definitely be back.