Capilano University Students Blogging Abroad

Before my semester abroad became a reality, I always dreamed of doing an exchange to another country. For the two years prior to my exchange, many of my close friends took off for places like Switzerland and Ireland for a semester and bombarded my news feed with beautiful photos and inspiring stories. For me, that cemented my decision to apply for study abroad and I haven’t looked back since.     I definitely had fears that I wouldn’t make any friends or that I would miss home, but those were quickly put to rest. Being part of an exchange program means there are going to be other students just like yourself leaving their homes for a semester. I immediately met so many people upon arriving in Vlissingen who I would attend all my classes with and all the weekend parties with. It was so exciting and there was so much to learn that I didn’t have a second to miss home.     Looking back on it now, it is hard to believe how quickly it went by. It is definitely okay to miss

Studying abroad has definitely given me a sense of independence. But isn’t that what everyone says? Seriously though, there really is no better way to gain independence then to move away from your family and friends and everything you have ever known to be familiar.  As soon as I moved away I found myself being more assertive and more open to new possibilities. Stepping outside your comfort zone is never easy, but if you can put yourself in a position where you have to do so, it can open up your world to so many more possibilities. Poznan, Poland  My favorite way that I have grown abroad is in the form of relationships. When you are in a new environment, you have to form new relationships. I found myself becoming great friends with people that I may have never even talked to in my regular life because I already had my own set of friends. I met and became good friends with people from all around the world, and all were completely different and had extremely fascinating stori