When the “Study” in Study Abroad Hits
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Aside from preparing for my semester in Prague, I also had to adjust to the academic expectations. Knowing my overall performance would count towards my GPA back at Hope College, I wanted to take my academic seriously.
During my first few weeks, I found myself going above and beyond with assignments. I wanted to do well, but I was starting to feel consumed by school. I got ahead on class notes, completed assignments early, and turned in my best work possible.
One Friday night, I was doing homework that wasn’t due till the following Thursday. While I was getting ahead academically, I realized I was missing out on experiencing the world around me.
My family and friends would ask, “What have you done in Prague?” or “What’s it like studying abroad?” All I could think about was homework.
As I met more students from other universities, I learned we had different expectations for our academics while abroad. Some came from institutions with a pass-or-fail criteria, which meant they only had to meet the minimum requirements without affecting their GPA back home.
Often I would hear, “It’s fine, I’ll take the 10 percent off,” when it came to assignments. Back at Hope, where I take my academics seriously, accepting any kind of deduction was difficult for me to accept.
Another thing I noticed was how often other students traveled or explored Prague on the weekends. When they would ask what I had done over the weekend, again my mind only went to homework. Then, when I asked them the same question, they would talk about all the places they had visited.
It made me think whether I truly was having the study abroad experience or just studying in another country.
Let’s rewrite this experience!
One day a flatmate asked if I wanted to get my nails done with her. Before I could even answer, she said, “Danya, you’ve been doing a lot of homework. You should treat yourself.” She was right. I had barely left our apartment that weekend.
That moment made me realize I wanted to change my habits. I began exploring Prague more and actually making time for my friends. I learned meaningful moments could be walking around the city or visiting a farmer’s market.
As I enter the second half of the semester, I’m understanding that taking my academics seriously doesn’t mean always getting ahead, but finding a balance that feels less overwhelming. I’ve learned that studying abroad looks different for everyone, and I don’t need to compare my experience to someone else’s.
My advice to anyone planning to study abroad: take your academics seriously, but remember this is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. Make time to explore and meet people. Make the experience your own.
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