My 10 Year Anniversary of Studying Abroad

Dear JAMMers, As Taylor Swift said, “It was rare, I was there…”

It’s been ten years since I studied abroad in college. At the time, I thought I understood how lucky I was to have had that experience, but looking back a decade later, there is no possible way I fully grasped just how rare that opportunity truly was.

I went to St. John’s University, where studying abroad was actually pretty common for students. As sophomore year was finishing up, almost all of my friends decided it was something they wanted to do. I was the last hold out. Why? Well for starters, I think I was just too lazy at the time to even think about embarking on something that big. But the main reason is because an advisor told me not to. He said that the classes being offered abroad would not count toward my degree and it would set me back a whole semester. Like a typical Catholic school girl, I accepted that answer and didn’t question what I was told. 

Weeks (maybe even months) later, I was at an appointment with a different advisor about something else. “You’re not studying abroad next semester?” he randomly asked. I told him how the other advisor told me I couldn’t go. “He’s wrong…You can definitely go.” I was so confused, but I didn’t even have time to question it. “But the deadline to apply is today and the office closes in 15 minutes. You have to run this application to the office NOW,” the advisor told me as he frantically signed some papers. I sprinted (ok, quickly walked) to the office and submitted my paperwork just in time. I remember instantly texting the group chat.

Fast forward to August. We began the “Discover the World” program where we studied in three different countries - Italy, Spain and France - in one semester. And it was just as awesome as I imagined. I lived blocks away from ancient ruins in Rome, ate crepes under the Eiffel Tower, kayaked along a beach in Portugal, and occasionally studied. I got to meet some of the most interesting people both within my program and outside of it. I developed a deeper understanding of other countries and cultures, while deepening my appreciation of our own. And the best part? I had all my friends with me. It’s rare enough to have this opportunity, but to be able to do it with your friends is actually surreal. And the more I think about it, it was all pretty surreal.

What are the chances we were all able to go together? That I was able to apply with literally 15 minutes to spare? That we all came back in one piece? (well, mostly…)

It was truly a once in a lifetime opportunity that I don’t take for granted in any way, shape or form. Over the last decade, the people in my life have had to hear me say those insufferable words, “When I was abroad…” over and over again. I’ve toned it down significantly over the years, but the friends who studied with me understand the unique experience we shared. 

And we sure love to talk about it every chance we get.

Everything’s fine,

Nicole