IS STUDYING ABROAD WORTH IT? | brutally honest review of my experience & advice
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- Äas pĆidĂĄn 22. 07. 2024
- Back in December I came home from my first semester at the University of Bristol. I'll be headed back again in January and wanted to share my thoughts about my time there đ Some of the video will pertain directly to the University of Chicago study abroad program because that's the university that I'm doing it through, but the rest should be relevant no matter where you're attending college! I hope this is helpful to anyone who's unsure about whether or not they should study abroad!
timestamps âïž
0:00 introduction
0:44 topics
1:08 my review of studying abroad
3:56 uchicago study abroad
6:20 finances
7:47 actually moving abroad
8:53 pros
9:48 receiving credits abroad
11:44 making friends
12:20 FOMO
12:50 adjusting to your new locale
13:22 should you study abroad?
14:17 being far from home + family
15:33 is studying abroad worth it?
about me đ·
Iâm Makayla! Iâm twenty years old and a third year at the University of Chicago (though Iâm currently abroad at the University of Bristol). Right now Iâm studying Creative Writing for my major and Astronomy and Astrophysics for my minor, and I also like to read and cook in my free time. I grew up in Maine and studying has always been one of my favorite pastimes, so thatâs why youâll find a whole bunch of college vlogs, study motivation, book recommendations, and academic tips on my channel. Youâre in good company if youâre into these things, so subscribe for more productivity content!
say hi to me đ„
Instagram: @makayla_macgregor
Email: makaylaemac@gmail.com
Goodreads: / makaylamacgregor
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Hi Makayla. I enjoyed your video and I'm glad you like it. I think you shared a lot of good information, especially about the ebb and flow of emotions when studying abroad. It can be like a roller coaster in many ways. You go from being excited about getting in to being ecstatic when you get there before actually coming face-to-face with the difficulties of living in a new international setting. That's especially true with students who need to master the language of the new culture. You normally have to have good language skills to be accepted but you can quickly realize that as good as your language skills are in the US, those skills can be somewhat below those of native speaking students you engage in class with. The same is true when trying to get around and make yourself understood in the new culture. That of course should not be unexpected when you compete with native speakers in class but it can be sobering and can lead to a loss of confidence with a downturn on the roller coaster. The realization that you are far from family, friends, and campus life can add to a sense of solitude or discouragement. Its not uncommon for students in this situation to start wondering why they decided to do this crazy trip abroad. Its a common emotion but also a time to stand strong because that normally makes you work harder, improves your communication skills, helps process the culture, and leads to an upswing on the coaster as your time abroad continues on. The student going abroad to study should know going into such a program needs to be aware of the possibility of emotional swings so they don't think something is wrong when they experience those mood swings. Such emotions are a common part of the experience but pushing through all this leads to a confidence boost, a greater engagement in the culture, new contacts, a broader academic experience, and a later satisfaction in doing something that was challenging and character building. Hurdles are inevitable when studying abroad and changes in perception may be incremental, but one day you wake up and just realized you belong here. I think Think studying abroad changes students as they come back with a new perspective on the US and the world, a new vision, a new confidence, a new boldness, and a new purpose. In my time at UC I have had multiple faculty members say things like, "Have you seen the new Emily?" or "Tom is a new more exciting student since studying in XXXX" or "I can't believe how Maggie's language skills have improved!" or "he's just a different person!" In fact, in my experience with hundreds of students doing study abroad, I am hard pressed o think of a former student who did not prosper from taking time to study abroad, especially a whole year abroad, but as you intimate, in your video, there is a lot to consider before making the plunge. From my perspective, however, I come to the same conclusion as you, that studying abroad id definitely worth it!!!
I absolutely love everything that you mentioned; you really nailed the feeling of emotional swings. There are some moments when I feel very unsure of how to go about being in a new place, but there are ultimately so many more moments when everything feels just so surreal and exciting that I'm already dreading the day that I'll have to leave Bristol. I'm so glad that I've had this opportunity and I'm also grateful for all of your advice you've given me! It's really helped me to embrace diving into new cultures and exploring/traveling as much as I can (I've got a whole list of places to see in the UK before I leave!). I only hope that I also will grow as a person/student by doing this experience!!
đWhat an experience! So very happy you have had this experienceđ
Thanks for the brutal honesty. I think some of those tips and insights you have will apply to studying on campus at a university that is in another state, which I will have to do in order to graduate even though I am an online student.
Hi there Makayla, my names Roman, Iâm from LA đŽđșđž and Iâll be studying abroad for almost an entire year in Japan at Hitotsubashi University in Tokyo. Iâm super excited and Iâve been binge watching other study abroad vlogs because Iâve been so hyped for this experience because Iâve dreamt of this moment ever since I started learning Japanese 7 years ago. Your trip to Bristol is cooking up ideas in my head to do my own vlogging of Japan for myself and my friends. Iâm ready to pop off this year ! đđŸâïž đŻđ” çćŠăăăăšă«èĄăăïŒ
That's so exciting!! I hope you have an amazing time studying abroad and I'm so glad that the videos have been inspiring :)
Hi Makayla, thanks for the great video, I was wondering what your major advisers said about receiving credits abroad? I asked my department (cs) and they said that only 2 classes can count. For an entire year's programme, I think this would mean only 2 out of the 6 credits I would take would actually go towards my major, even though I'd be taking 12 classes to get those 6 credits in the first place... Do you know what happens with the other 4 credits?
Also, can you do your double major at Bristol. you mentioned creative writing + astro, does that mean you're taking courses in both while at bristol?
Hope you have a great semester at Bristol!
I'm not entirely sure because it really varies from major to major... for me, all of the classes I'm taking will transfer as credits (especially because I have a couple of elective credits I still need to fulfill). And yes! I was able to take an astro course last semester and there has been no shortage of literature courses that will go towards the lit reqs of creative writing :)
Welcome to bristol!
Thank you!! đ
tsk tsk missing the opportunity of going out to the city with me âŁïžđą
wow i should consider studying abroad (a second semester senior)đ
YES omg do it