The ISA JournalThis Is Your Sign to Say Yes

As I have now concluded my study abroad term with ISA, I have been reflecting on the experience and just how special it truly was. Driving to work back in the States, I find myself reminiscing on the life I had just weeks ago, walking cobblestone streets and eating dinner at 8:30 p.m.

Florence taught me so much about myself and the world, so for my final post with ISA, I wanted to give a reflection on some of the aspects of my trip that I’ve come to cherish most. I hope in sharing these that I can encourage those reading to say yes to studying abroad as it will teach you so much about yourself and the world around you.

Friendships

One of the aspects I was most nervous about going into my term in Florence was making friends. In the months prior to leaving for my trip, I was constantly asking those who had already studied abroad if they had trouble meeting people and making friends. I feared that in this new city, I would feel isolated or unwelcome. However, I am happy to say that those feelings were just my nerves talking.

Florence brought me so many wonderful new friendships that I am so grateful for. Some of my favorite memories from the trip include dinners with my roomies or day trips with my new pals. It is a unique experience seeing a different part of the world without anyone you know, and I think we all were aware of that so we held onto each other tightly.

We knew that this term was a once-in-a-lifetime experience, and so we leaned on each other, laughing, dancing, and photographing our way through the city together. Florence brought me friendships and memories that made saying goodbye a genuine challenge. As we packed our things and said our goodbyes, we made promises to keep in touch and plans for a reunion, but until then, I can just hold onto the memories we already created.

A larger perspective

Stepping out of my hometown and into one of the world’s most historically and artistically rich cities truly shook me awake to the vastness of this world. Walking the halls of the Uffizzi, staring at the eyes of each painting, knowing that these pieces of art held centuries of history and culture in them, made me realize just how small I am in this world and just how much there is to see and hear and smell and taste.

It’s one thing to watch films and read about cities and their history and culture but it is a whole different experience actually living it. Florence opened my eyes to this vast difference and just how important it is to get out there and immerse yourself. Every day, I was reminded of this privilege as I walked to class, passing incredible works of art and monumentous landmarks of history.

Capability

I often have the tendency to deny my own capability. When people tell stories or mention certain tasks or jobs they have had, I am usually the person saying something along the lines of “I could never do that.” In fact, if someone a few years ago had mentioned how they studied abroad completely alone one summer, I would have probably been congratulating them on doing something I never would be able to achieve.

Yet, here I am, home from my solo term abroad with an album full of photos and memories. Above all else, Florence taught me that I am more than capable. The city taught me that doing things with uncertainty is so much better than not doing them at all and that taking that risk, despite inner fears, will show you a whole new world of opportunities and experiences, all while showing you a whole new side of yourself.

Navigating a new city, meeting new people, and pushing myself out of the comfort of familiarity has taught me so much about my own capability, building my confidence and ultimately showing me that so many of the things I am typically nervous about doing or trying are often much simpler than I am making them out to be. I just have to be willing to take a leap!

So, say yes!

So, if you’re reading this and your other tabs on your laptop are open to potential study abroad programs, this is your sign: Say yes! It may seem scary, and you may be like me and think that everyone else but you can do this, but I am here to promise you, this world has so much to offer and teach you. You just have to be willing to take that first step out of the comfort of your everyday life and challenge yourself with the unpredictability that comes with the unknown.

Your experience won’t be perfect—nobody’s is—but I can promise you that it will be yours. Yours to keep and become a more confident and capable version of yourself.

Sydney Stephens is a student at the University of Kentucky and an ISA Featured Blogger. She is studying with ISA in Florence, Italy.