Kara Fitzpatrick: 10 Things People Tell You, but You Don’t Really Understand Until You’re Really Here
Before we go away on our semester’s abroad friends, family,
co-workers, and strangers are all really quick to give us advice. We listen,
maybe write it down, but don’t really take it in or give it another thought. We
think we know everything and we can do it all ourselves. However, I learned
very quickly that I should have listened a little better. These are the top 10
things people told me before I arrived that I didn’t really fully understand
until I experienced them first hand.
1. Save and Budget
Before I came here I knew that I needed to
save money and budget. However, when I first arrived I got totally caught up in
the idea of being abroad. I was shopping, travelling, and eating out like I was
working full-time. I was really surprised one day when I looked at my bank
account. I am not saying to not shop, eat, or travel, that is all part of the
experience, but just do so in moderation and have a budget for it all.
2. There is a culture change
Before I came here I knew that it would be
different, but I was really thinking was “it’s Austria…how different can it
be?” The answer…very. I had to adapt very quickly to the changes. Everything is
closed on Sundays, stores do not stay open past 7PM, the language barrier, and
the school system. I really wasn’t mentally prepared for it all.
3. Time will fly by
I am sitting in my room on what is almost my
three-month anniversary of being abroad and it feels like I have been gone for
a week. Time is moving at ultra-speed, so make it count.
4. Remember you are a student first
We all know “yeah, yeah, school, school,
blah, blah,” but we sometimes forget that we are here to study. Travelling and
partying is all part of the experience, but school should be the priority, we
are representing our school and our families here.
5. YOSBO (You Only Study Abroad Once)
Make the most of it. This
is a once in a life opportunity. I have been to nine cities in four countries
and still have two months of backpacking through this beautiful continent. I am
so blessed to be here, when I miss home, or feel sad, it’s nice to remember
that and embrace every moment.
6. You will make connections with people from
all over the world
I have made connections with people from
Finland, France, the UK, Italy, USA, Hungry, Turkey, Germany, and many others.
It has been amazing learning what their lives are like and how cultures are
different. Some have offered to stay with them if I ever want to visit. It is
great to have connections and familiar faces all over the globe.
7. You will make life long friends
This goes beyond connections from around the
world. There are four girls here who have changed my life and inspire me. We
have only known each other for three months, but I feel like I have known them
my whole life. Relationships (like time) move on ultra-speed. I am so fortunate
to have them in my life. We’ve travelled, laughed, cried, and survived it all
together; I don’t know what I would do without them. I can’t wait to continue a
friendship with them outside of our time here.
8. Things happen
All of us want to think we are perfect and do
not make mistakes, but the reality is we do. The real test is how we handle
them. I have missed busses, friends have failed exams, and all of us have
gotten extremely lost. However, we learn from our mistakes, this will happen;
we just have to remember what we can do differently next time.
9. You won’t have everything you have at home
Kraft Dinner, friends,
family, stores that are open past 7PM, money. These are comforts we have and
often take for granted at home. This experience has taught be to appreciate the
little conveniences we have all the time.
10. This is the best time of your life
Every tear, every mistake,
every adjustment I have had to make does not oversee how amazing this
experience is. We all hear “it will change your life,” and as cheesy as it
sounds, it’s true. This is the most incredible experience I have ever been on.
I wouldn’t change anything. It is the best time in my life, I have seen, done,
and achieved so much more than I could have ever imagined. Embrace every moment
and remember how lucky you are to be where you are.
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