Student Spotlight: Abby Myers
Location: multi-country study abroad program
Where did you go abroad, and when did you go?
Semester at Sea - Spring 2020 Voyage
Semester at Sea is a multi-country study abroad program on a ship open to all students of all majors.
Our voyage embarked on January 4, 2020 on the Spring 2020 voyage from Ensenada, Mexico (said our goodbyes to family in San Diego, CA). We stopped at the following ports, having the freedom to travel within the country for a designated period of time:
Hawaii, USA
Kobe, Japan
Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
Port Louis, Mauritius
Cape Town, South Africa
Unfortunately, due to the pandemic and countries closing their borders, we had to disembark the ship in South Africa on March 14, 2020 and fly home immediately.
Why did you go abroad?
I made the decision to study abroad because of the challenge and adventure as well as the different educational perspectives and topics that came along with it. I got comfortable with where I was in my education at UND and saw this as an opportunity to challenge myself and step outside of my comfort zone. BEST. DECISION. EVER. I learned that the hard and challenging circumstances that arise in our lives end up being the most memorable and worthwhile where we get to learn and experience things that are crucial to our understanding of the world, others and ourselves. It was the opportunity of a lifetime and I learned about new topics, cultures and places that were so interesting and relatable to my education.
What advice do you have to give to anyone who is thinking about going abroad?
My #1 piece of advice:
What’re you waiting for?? JUST GO FOR IT. Whatever is holding you back, let it go and know that it will be worth it in the end. It will seem scary and challenging but facing your fears is what makes you a stronger individual. Don’t stick with what is comfortable and easy. Go with what is fun, challenging and makes you step outside of your comfort zone. Always go with the choice that scares you the most because it is the one that will make you grow. Your experiences and education abroad will create a new understanding of the world that will transform your perspective on many areas of life. You won’t regret it, trust me!
Take the time to prepare for your trip – it will make your travels less stressful and give you the opportunity to truly embrace your journey while you are there. Take it day by day, step by step, to prepare anything and everything you may need. Seek advice from those who have had a similar experience, ask questions, read blogs, watch videos and do all the research you can.
Journal and take a lot of photos and videos. Once you get back, you will miss so many of the memories you had. Documenting your travels will help remember what you experienced and learned in that moment and it is fun to reflect on. It is important to find a balance of living in the moment and being present during your adventures while also remembering to document. Journaling is important because it helps you capture your thoughts in the moment, understand them better, apply what you are learning to your life, and reflect on what you are experiencing. It is also a great memory to read and look back on to be able to remember how you were feeling and some of the little, important things you learned along the way.
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