Travelling to a new country with people I had never met comes with the expectation of maturing in many ways. For me, this meant becoming much more comfortable and confident being independent. I was eager to experience the program and see what I would learn about myself in an unfamiliar environment. Before travelling, my days were structured and routine, where my tasks no longer felt challenging or new. The spontaneity and adaptability of travelling taught me to trust myself, rely on my instincts, and take care of myself. I had to learn how to balance multiple priorities that were important to me, such as connecting with other students, exploring new cities, and managing my schoolwork. I realized that I was responsible for the kind of experience I would have, which made me more conscious of the control I had. Arriving to class on time became something I saw as meaningful rather than a chore, because punctuality proved I could manage myself and wasn’t dependent on others.
Learning to navigate the transit systems was an important lesson that taught me about my problem-solving skills. When exploring a foreign country, it is vital that I knew how to get around without relying on my phone or my friends. Understanding the Metro system and bus routes allowed me to trust myself and made me more eager to see every corner of the cities we visited. The confidence I felt in my independence ensured my safety and made the experience more enjoyable because I felt secure in my capabilities. Every time I got to class on time, took the right train, or completed an assignment by the deadline, I felt proud knowing I had done it successfully while being outside my comfort zone.
The curfew was another expectation that strengthened my independence. The opportunity to explore a new city on our own time was a privilege that maximized the enjoyment of my experience, and it was during this free time that I felt truly independent for the first time. Respecting the curfew and seeing it as a way to keep us safe helped me realize how much I had matured. The trust we were given showed me how much of our enjoyment was in our control. Communication also proved that independence isn’t about doing everything alone but about being aware and accountable. Asking questions or talking over plans with the teachers didn’t make me dependent; instead it showed me I was conscious of my responsibilities.
Being prepared for every situation is another skill I learned. Hot days and long walking tours can take a toll, and relying on someone else for water or money made me feel unprepared and guilty, especially if it delayed the class. Waking up a few minutes early to pack my bag and double-check I packed everything became a habit, and a rewarding one at that. While traveling, I realized the importance of keeping track of my belongings. At home, losing something is a small inconvenience, but abroad, it disrupts the day for me and possibly the group. Double-checking outlets and drawers on travel days and noting when I needed to replenish sunscreen became habits, and I felt more prepared because of it.
Thank you to Student Ambassador Raya K. for writing this blog post!
