I Didn’t Know What I Was Doing. So I Did It Anyway
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I always knew I wanted to study abroad. It was one of those things I would say out loud like it was already part of my future. But if I’m being honest, I had no idea how to actually make it happen.
For a long time, I was holding myself back. The idea of going abroad felt exciting, but also overwhelming. There were too many steps, too many unknowns, and I kept telling myself I’d figure it out “eventually.” But I started to realize that if I didn’t just jump into it, I probably never would.
So I did.
Deciding on Prague wasn’t something I had planned for years. It actually came pretty unexpectedly. I was sitting at home looking through the programs Hope College offered, and what stood out to me right away was the connection to journalism. Journalism has always been something I want to pursue, and seeing a program that aligned with that made it feel real for the first time.
The more I looked into Prague, the more I realized something was pulling me here. It started to feel right. But even after all the preparation, I didn’t truly realize I was going to live in Prague for the next few months until I was on the plane. I flew from Chicago to Philadelphia and then from Philadelphia to Prague. While sitting on my second flight, I started to hear Czech being spoken around me. I knew where I was going, but it still didn’t feel real.
Once my flight landed, my new reality started to sink in. Being in a new country, surrounded by a language you don’t know, can be intimidating. So I would be lying if I said I wasn’t nervous going through immigration. When it was finally my turn, I was met with a friendly smile.
He read my last name out loud and said, “Ortiz. ¿Hablas español?”
Suddenly, every bit of anxiety and fear was gone. Hearing Spanish in those first few minutes in a new country gave me a sense of comfort when I needed it most. We had a brief conversation about my study abroad program, and he wished me luck on my new adventure. It was a small moment, but one that changed how I felt about being in a new place. For the first time, I felt ready to take on this new chapter.
The next day, I had orientation with CIEE. We learned what to expect academically and culturally, and we ended the day with a tour of Prague through Old Town Square. As I took in my surroundings, I couldn’t help but think about what this moment meant beyond just me. My parents never had the opportunity to study abroad, and in many ways, I felt like I was carrying a piece of them with me. I’m experiencing this for myself, but I’m carrying them with me along the way.
After just a few days, I am realizing I am exactly where I’m supposed to be. I came to Prague not knowing exactly what I was doing. But maybe I didn’t need to.
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