When I was first thinking about where I wanted to go to college, my first thought was to go somewhere far, far away from my hometown. I wanted to live and study in a big city. I looked into schools in New York, Boston, and Seattle, among some others. That seemed to be my main priority – go somewhere where I could make a life for myself that would be bigger than the one I was currently leading. I didn’t yet know what I wanted, but I knew I wanted something more. When I got into NYU, it felt like nothing short of a dream. Until I saw the estimated cost, that was.

Studying abroad is more than just an academic opportunity—it’s a life-changing adventure that shapes who you are in ways you might never expect. The thought of leaving behind the familiar—the campus routines, your go-to coffee shop, your friends and family—can be overwhelming. But the beauty of stepping outside your comfort zone lies in the profound growth that comes with it. You’ll discover new interests, deepen your sense of independence, and see the world through a broader, more global lens.

As my first semester in Japan comes to a close, I have a lot to reflect upon. This experience has felt very long, yet very short at the same time. As I cry goodbye to everyone leaving after one semester, I can’t help but think about all the lost time we have, how recently I felt that our friendship has grown and how much of a waste it feels to cut our time together so short. At the same time, I think back to specific moments over my time here, from orientation to festivals, trips to Universal Studios, my birthday, Thanksgiving, nights out, and so many more memories.

You are reading my final IES Abroad blog post! It’s been a little over a week since I left the Netherlands, so I’ve had some time to readjust to American life and for some Amsterdam reflections to come out of the woodwork. Even before I left Amsterdam, particularly my last week there, I began to realize just how much my abroad experience has impacted the way I lead my life. Living abroad is quite unlike anything I have ever done before, and it will always offer me new reflections, perspectives and lessons. 

I am back in the US! Saying goodbye was incredibly bittersweet. I’m sure I’ve felt the feelings that thousands of abroad students have felt before me, and surely thousands more have yet to feel next semester. I don’t really have adequate words to describe how the semester was, which is pretty ironic considering I signed up to write about precisely that. Don’t get me wrong, I’ve loved doing this for the past semester, but it can get a little awkward when I really do not know what else to write. 

A year and a half ago, I knew that I wanted to study abroad, but I had NO idea where to begin. Where do I find study-away programs? Are there different types of programs? What city/country should I go to? How important is it that I know the native language of the country I’m in? How do I know which program to pick?