Final Thoughts and Takeaways from Santiago Summer Health Studies

Well, here I am back in the States now. It’s a little surreal to be writing my final reflections so soon, but I’m glad I have the chance to share with you, whoever you may be. My summer in Santiago was a wild time, and it was definitely an experience I’m never going to forget. I’ve learned about Chilean culture, about myself, about living in another country, and so much more. I had the opportunity to travel to places I’d never seen before and meet people who I would never have crossed paths with otherwise had I not gone out to study abroad.

My main takeaway from studying abroad is to not be afraid of jumping into the deep end—we all know how to swim better than we think. While it can be scary to get out of your comfort zone, flying 5000 miles away has taught me that sometimes the scary things are the things that make us feel the most alive. I never would have gotten the chance. So I challenge you to fight against the fear that keeps you cooped up and stuck in the familiar, and try something new! It doesn’t have to be big, but I have come to understand that stepping out of your comfort zone in whatever way you can is one of the best ways to grow. Taking a breath and embracing the butterflies in your stomach instead of avoiding them only helps you to be a deeper, more adaptable, and more confident person.

Another takeaway worth mentioning is the importance of rest. Sometimes I felt pressured to do everything or be all in all the time because it might be my only chance to experience things. As a more introverted person, I realized that oftentimes that would lead me to be incredibly burnt out and exhausted. There isn’t a point in doing everything if you are too tired to enjoy everything you do. Taking a day or two or even a whole weekend to rest and reset was something I made sure to prioritize while I was away and it made the fun experiences I had so much more meaningful. I will definitely be prioritizing rest more during my last year of university. Don’t be afraid to prioritize time for yourself! It’s not selfish, it’s necessary :)

Thank you for taking the time to read this blog. I hope it’s been helpful! Whether you’re a former student reminiscing about your study abroad experiences, you’re a prospective study abroad student hoping for guidance, or just someone taking the time to read about people’s lives, I appreciate you being here. Until next time.