By czhangangel
Studying abroad is a decision that allows yourself to experience the world, be independent, meet different people, adapt to different living, learn about different culture, etc. During time abroad, one will adopt an optimistic, out-going, and relaxed attitude. Your focus turns from school to experiencing as most as you can by traveling the world and making new friends. The overall experience can be addicting and lull one into extending their study abroad experience – at least for me, it did.
I was very tempted to proceed with the process to extend my stay in Hong, but for the first time, I felt held back for once. I thought this situation only happens to those who are “grown up”, or those with responsibilities. “Grownups” have responsibilities to answer to such as family, friends, jobs, and opportunities that should be seized. It is very selfish and immature to just enjoy life without responsibilities – to leave everything behind – because there are people that care about you and want you in their lives, and there are people you will care about too. I asked myself, “Have I ‘grown’ that much to have these responsibilities – to have to make a decision like this?” I understand that studying abroad is a growing experience, but I didn’t realize how much one can grow.
The responsibilities that I believe I personally have are sick family that I must see and take care of, departing friends that I must see, credits I must take to graduate, and jobs and internships to apply for. I had to understand that the study abroad life is not long-term; home is because that is where your past and near future lies. Time flies and things change will you are away and does not wait for you; and the longer you are away, the more you have to “catch up” and accept changes that have occurred. There are future opportunities to come back to your place of study abroad to work or vacation since the location itself will never move.
Considering all this, it was still difficult for me to make the decision whether to stay or go. I know that going back would be changing my lifestyle to adapt to a more stressful environment – nobody wants to do that and I included. In this indecisive time, I turned to other people’s perspective to see what they would do. From other exchange students, they all explained the good and bad and allowed the decision to be up to you. They themselves were to go back in their designated time – quite easily might I add. The key to their decision is to ask oneself, “Why did you come to study abroad in the first place? If you already have experienced what you set out to do, then why not go back?” I realized that I did do almost everything that I wanted to because I knew I had a short in Hong Kong and did not take that time for granted, using it as efficiently as I can. If I were to truly stay longer, then I wouldn’t be using my time as well because I would relax how I use my time, and there will also be fewer things for me to do since I did most of what I wanted to do. Like that, I had my answer: go back, come again in the future if you are determined enough.
In this article, I have shared a more personal dilemma and I that it helps future exchange students to prepare for their journey abroad and back home. There are several challenges of studying abroad and this is only one of them. Make sure you know your purpose to study abroad in the first place. Think of it before you leave and remember it for when you need to go back.