Study Abroad (Oxford University)

Coming into college I always knew I wanted to travel abroad at some point during my four years. When I was in high school I remember stalking the travel pictures of the girls I knew that were in college and desperately wishing for the day when I’d have the chance to experience the things they were experiencing. I had dreams of steamy romances in Barcelona, art museum trips in Paris, and warm bowls of pasta in Italy. I couldn’t wait to find my own adventure in some far off mystery land. Now as a sophomore in college that dream is quickly becoming a reality. Many of my friends at school and from back home are finalizing their plans for next year going all across the globe—China, Brazil, Italy, Spain, South Africa. The anticipation is building, and yet so are the nerves.

This week I found out that I have been accepted to a yearlong program at Exeter College at Oxford University in England.  It is such an incredible opportunity and such an honor to be chosen but I must admit that I am kind of freaked out. People always told me that college flies by, but I didn’t really buy it until now. In some ways it seems like I’ve just gotten settled at Williams, almost mid-way through the second semester of my sophomore year. Freshman year was full of painful transitions, over zealous excitement at being on my own, and countless learning mistakes that I’m glad I don’t have to make twice. The first semester of sophomore year was spent adapting to being without the entry system and carving a place for myself in this big college world, and now here I am, surrounded by friends whom I couldn’t be luckier to have taking classes that really challenge me, in a place that, for better or worse, I have come to love, and yet I’m getting ready to leave. The idea is frightening.

As with every big life decision I’ve found myself oscillating back and forth a million times about what the “right” choice is. Is a year too long? Is England where I want to be? What about my friends and family? What will this new place hold? I would be lying if I said that this decision has been easy or that I don’t have my fears or my reservations about leaving my comfort zone. I will traveling abroad for the first time in my life, leaving behind my family and friends whom I love very dearly and trying something completely new—but I’ve got to tell you I couldn’t be more excited. In a moment of panic I texted my sister asking her what I should do and telling her my fears and she basically said ‘look you have the opportunity of lifetime, go abroad, maybe you’ll meet your soulmate, or maybe you won’t or maybe a million other things but if anything happens I’ll jump on a plane and get you’ (Just one of the thousands of reasons why sisters rock).

The point is this: deciding to go abroad (or not) is a big decision, but whatever you decide to do will be right for you, and no decision is irreversible anyway. Stay home and be a JA, stay home and rock your junior year, chase your dreams in Paris, learn Chinese in China, immerse yourself in a different culture in Brazil—but do what makes you happy and don’t shy away from risks. As a close friend remarked to me when I expressed my doubts, “What’s life without a little risk?”