To The Student Thinking About Studying Abroad…

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If I could sit down with the version of myself who boarded the plane to Sydney over four months ago, there are so many things I’d want to tell her.

I’d tell her she’ll figure out public transportation.

She’ll stop getting lost on campus.

She’ll make friends who will quickly become family.

She’ll continue to grow in her faith in a way she never expected.

And she’ll leave with so much more than just photos and souvenirs.

So, if you’re the student sitting where I once was, wondering if you should study abroad, nervous about what your adventure might look like, or questioning whether it’ll all be worth it, I hope something I say will encourage you. It is the absolute best decision you can make.

I remember wondering if I was making the right decision. Even through the unwavering excitement, I wondered if I would regret leaving everything familiar behind. 

Looking back now, I wish I could tell myself that feeling nervous didn’t mean I wasn’t ready; it just meant I was about to do something that would change me. The same goes for you! Don’t let your fear of what could happen stop you from experiencing the best thing that could happen!

I’d also tell myself to rest my mind on wondering if I will find friends.

I found people who felt like family that made leaving Australia harder than arriving. The stranger sitting beside you in class, the people you meet on the lawn at Orientation, the friendly faces who remember your name and your story at church, and people who are always down to grab a snack after class, you’ll quickly find yourself making dinner plans and planning adventures with people that you’ll never forget.

I’d tell myself not to be fearful of my yes. After all, it was my “yes” that got me here!

Say yes to the beach day.

Say yes to exploring a new neighborhood.

Say yes to the nighttime walk that turns into a two-hour meaningful conversation.

Say yes to trying a new treat with your classmates.

Say yes to the Saturday hike to a waterfall.

For me, it wasn’t what I planned in advance that left me with the most memories. It was the moments that I was never really quite ready for but showed up for anyway. Even between classes and early wake-ups, simply showing up can be meaningful. I know that you’ll be busy, but slowing down to be present is worthwhile. When I did that, I found it was the best way to connect with the people around me.

But I’d also remind myself that saying yes doesn’t mean saying yes to everything.

If church is important to you, keep going.

If running fills your cup, keep running.

If you’d rather spend an evening talking over coffee than going out, that’s great too.

The people who are meant to be in your life won’t need you to change who you are.

I’d then tell myself to appreciate the ordinary days.

The famous landmarks are incredible.

The trips are unforgettable.

But what I miss most aren’t necessarily those big moments.

I miss walking through the USYD quad to class.

I miss grocery shopping at Coles with my friends.

I miss drinking tea and reading a book at ‘Happy Campa’ before lectures.

I miss my small group Bible study.

I miss laughing through tutorials.

I miss watching the sunset after a more-than-ordinary Tuesday.

The memories I found myself smiling about most were often the simplest ones. 

Most of all, I’d tell myself that studying abroad isn’t just about seeing another country.

It’s about learning to navigate life and live somewhere unfamiliar.

It’s about becoming more independent than you ever imagined.

It’s about growing, learning, and maturing through what’s exciting and what’s really, really hard.

It’s about finding confidence, building a new community, and realizing that home is where the people who make you feel like you belong are.

So, to the student who’s thinking about studying abroad…

Go.

Go even if you’re scared.

Go even if you don’t know anyone.

Go even if you’re wondering whether you’re making the right decision.

One day, you’ll be sitting exactly where I am now, wondering how four and a half months passed by so quickly.

You’ll look back on the friendships, the adventures, the challenges, and even the frustrating moments with gratitude because each one helped shape who you became.

If you’re anything like me, you’ll wish you could do it all over again.

And I truly pray your yes leads you to a place that feels like home in a way you never expected.

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