A few years ago, I'd never have thought that I'd end up studying in Newcastle. At first, I dismissed the idea of moving to the UK to go to university because I was nervous about starting a completely different chapter of my life with people I'd never met before. However, as the weeks went by and my interest in the idea started to build, I thought: 'Actually, why not? This could be fun.'
I put aside my fear of not fitting in, not finding the right friends to share this exceptional part of my life with and missing my friends and family back home. Luckily, my family here in Newcastle have been supportive since I moved in 2020.
But then I thought, what the hell, at least we'll be lonely together.
More importantly though, I was able to overcome the daunting experience of living with strangers. This was probably my main concern during the moving process. But then I thought, what the hell, at least we'll be lonely together.
As things weren't as bad as I'd dreaded - I was so grateful for my flatmates otherwise lockdown would've hit very differently - I started to feel more at ease with the sudden change in lifestyle and therefore, more confident in social situations and in my behaviour towards others. When I flew back to Geneva for Christmas, my relatives noticed right away how different I was.
Sure, moving to a different country on your own can be scary, but it also encourages you to be bold, to put yourself out there and to make mistakes you'll no doubt learn from. My confidence has improved over the years, but since moving to Newcastle it has definitely soared. In other words, studying abroad is a great confidence booster.
Abigail Roch
Yes, the only reason I went abroad was because I study languages – I probably never would’ve considered going otherwise – but if you think improved linguistic skills were all that I brought back from those nine months, you’d be completely wrong.
First, in true Brit style, I have to mention the weather and its effect on my general wellbeing. In my last few months in Spain, the temperature didn’t ever dip below 30°C, and days would increasingly end with a selection of tapas and a beer sitting out under the setting sun. While I might not have ended the year with a tan (I’m English, what can I say?), I did come out with an overarching feeling of contentment, and wearing a t-shirt and shorts every day definitely had its part to play in that.
You’ll learn more about the world, about different cultures and ways of life, but most importantly, you’ll learn infinite amounts about yourself
Then, there’s the discovery. You’ll learn more about the world, about different cultures and ways of life, but most importantly, you’ll learn infinite amounts about yourself: about what you like, about what you value in others, about how you went from being a shy teenager to going skydiving in Portugal (OK, maybe that one’s just me…).
And, saving the best ‘til last, the people. In Spain, I lived with 17 – yes, 17 – Erasmus students. From Austrian, to Brazilian, to Italian, my housemates weren’t necessarily people I’d have chosen to hang out with; they didn’t always share the same opinions or lifestyles, so if I’d encountered them in Newcastle, I wouldn’t automatically go out of my way to befriend them. I was opened up to a multitude of difference, which, despite its potential for clashes and disagreements, became an environment I soon came to relish.
So, if studying abroad is an optional part of your degree, and you need a sign to go, this is it. Trust me, go for it.
Elsa Tarring
