A year can change everything

It’s the beginning of my junior year, and I receive the first email telling me to attend the study abroad meeting next Tuesday; little did I know that this would change everything.

I went to the meeting filled with both excitement and fear, listening and flipping through the pages of possible programs to attend. I decided to study in Edinburgh, Scotland in the fall, but I didn’t only decide to be away for one semester. I left for a whole year with my second semester in Washington, D.C. Before I knew it, I was on the plane, for the first time I might add, speeding above the Atlantic Ocean.

Edinburgh is the most beautiful city I could ever imagine and one of the most unique and historical places in the world. The University of Edinburgh is centered right in the middle of the city, and to say that I enjoyed my time there is an understatement. My studies and time abroad changed me as a person. I became more self-confident, independent, and knowledgeable of the local culture and differing worldviews. It is truly eye-opening to have a conversation with someone from another country about their opinions of the world, especially their opinions of America. It gave me a whole new perspective of the world and has made me more open to new experiences and adventures.

Not to mention that the University of Edinburgh (and all of the other programs Muhlenberg affiliates with) is a world class institution, and it was an honor to be able to attend “uni,” as they call it in the U.K. I received the opportunity to take classes that Muhlenberg doesn’t offer, and my favorite class was Medieval Scottish History. It was amazing to learn that Scotland’s history goes all the way back to the Roman occupation of the island. Outside of school, there was so much to explore and see that there was never a dull moment.

Sadly, my semester came to an end. But in less than a month, I was set to head to Washington D.C. and start my internship with the National Archives.

The Lutheran College Washington D.C. Semester was just as great as my time in Edinburgh. I met so many great people from so many different backgrounds. Plus, my internship with the National Archives was one of the most important experiences of my life. It gave me the opportunity to truly experience what life is like after school. I commuted to work for my 9 to 5 internship, cooked for myself, bought groceries, maintained my apartment, and made a budget for the semester. Also, I attended class at night after my internship, giving me a taste of what graduate school will be like.

When I returned to Muhlenberg this year as a senior, I am not going to lie, I felt like a freshman all over again. I missed an entire year of changes: the logo, printing systems, new housing, faculty, deans, and president. I felt so out of place, but then I realized that Muhlenberg hasn’t changed so much; it was me that changed.

I felt like I was ready to enter the real world and wanted to move on, but I still have a whole year to complete. But I do not view this as a bad thing, I view this as a good thing. I feel like I am ready to enter the real world and get a job because I feel prepared for it due to my experiences abroad. So I encourage all of you to consider studying abroad because it has been the single most valuable experience of my life, and if I could go back and do it all over again, I would do it in a heart beat. A year can change a lot, and I hope you can experience that change too.