It's been exactly one week since I landed back in Tennessee after spending the last part of my junior year in Manchester, England. I've been going through my camera roll trying to find the perfect set of photos to tell the story of my study abroad program for my end-of-semester Instagram post, obviously.
I quickly realized there are far too many memories to fit into a 10-slide post.
When I first started thinking about going abroad, I scrolled for hours on TikTok, looking at all the experiences I had a chance to partake in. I wanted to experience it all - the late nights out and early mornings at the airport, the all-nighters in the library, and the friendships that formed instantly. I believe I accomplished all of these and more.
More than that, I wanted to experience a new way of life. Home will always be home, don't get me wrong, but I needed a change of pace. Although I was looking forward to living on my own and gaining more independence, getting to see another culture and learn its intricacies is what pulled me into the idea.
My chosen city was Manchester, where I first learned that the phrase "you alright?" does not mean you look sick or bad; it's just another way of saying, "How are you?" I will admit I never got used to it. Four months in, I would still pause with uncertainty about how to respond.
I also got the chance to explore London, where I learned the importance of staying on the right side of the escalator so as not to get run over by those running up on the left.
When I ventured outside of the United Kingdom and made my way around Italy, I was met with kindness wherever I went. I learned that coffee culture is big, and iced coffee is not included in this.
My absolute favorite city, which I had the chance to explore, was Rome. The city's history is inescapable. Cafes and souvenir stands were interspersed between ancient ruins. Bars sat across the road from the Colosseum. When I first walked down the street leading toward it, I was flanked by ruins and statues on both sides. All of it was breathtaking, yet the Colosseum gave me chills as soon as my eyes landed on it.
While scrolling through my gallery, I revisited all the little things. They might not make the cut for the Instagram post - a weird face caught during the middle of a laugh, or the dual toilets in a bathroom decked out in LED lights and a disco ball - but these little things add up.
The small moments spent with the girls I met abroad were the best. We all became close in the short time we had together. Sitting across the table from each other the first night we met after orientation, we shared our nerves and hopes for the semester in the back room of the campus bar. All of us were alone in a different country, and we spent day after day together, bonding as we learned the city's routes.
For five months, I was around the same group of girls, eating at the same places and drinking the same flavor of Red Bull. The change and newness I had initially searched for evolved into familiarity and routine before I realized it. Eventually, it felt like I knew Manchester better than I knew Murfreesboro.
I was unsure of my decision to study abroad and scared of what would result.
Now that I have experienced it, I can't believe I was ever so hesitant. I am home once again, and nothing here has changed, but I have.
The homesickness I felt so often near the start faded and was slowly replaced by the desire to stay. My study abroad program resulted in the best memories with some of my closest friends.
In a shared album, we now have moments captured between the 12 of us that tell the story of the past five months better than an Instagram post ever could.
Jordan Reining is a senior majoring in journalism and minoring in history and Spanish.
About MTSU Study Abroad Programs
Middle Tennessee State University (MTSU) offers a robust Study Abroad Program designed to provide students with enriching international experiences. The program facilitates various opportunities, including short-term, semester-long, and year-long study abroad options. MTSU collaborates with multiple international universities and organizations to offer a wide range of courses across different fields of study, ensuring that credits earned abroad are transferable.
Students can explore diverse cultures, gain global perspectives, and enhance their academic and personal growth through these programs. MTSU also provides comprehensive support services, including pre-departure advising, financial aid guidance, and scholarship opportunities. Scholarships are available through the Office of Education Abroad, covering various study abroad durations and include the Office of Education Abroad Scholarship, the Commitment Scholarship, and the Media Scholarship.
Additionally, MTSU has partnerships with affiliated program providers who offer their scholarships, making study abroad more accessible. The program emphasizes thorough preparation and support, helping students navigate the complexities of international education and ensuring a transformative experience abroad.
MTSU's Study Abroad Program not only aims to foster academic growth but also to develop students' intercultural competence and adaptability, preparing them for a globalized workforce. For more detailed information, visit the MTSU Study Abroad website at https://mtsu.studioabroad.com/.
The change and newness I had searched for at the beginning evolved into familiarity and routine before I realized it.
Having experienced it, I can't believe I was hesitant. I'm home again; nothing has changed, but I have.