My experience as a student studying abroad

Hi, I'm Aoibhinn and I study Global Commerce at NUI Galway. 

For my erasmus yeat, I studied in ICN Business school in Nancy, France. I choose the double degree option which meant I was studying in France from September 2019 to March 2020. I can honestly say I thoroughly enjoyed my time abroad and it was a life changing experience. Whilst the Covid 19 pandemic ended my Erasmus studies earlier than I anticipated, I am extremely grateful to have been given the opportunity to have studied from September.  

Although I have a very enthusiastic and bubbly demeanor, I was once too very apprehensive about the idea of both living and studying abroad and had absolutely no idea what to expect. I understand that the concept of uprooting your life and heading off to a foreign country is daunting. It strengthened my ability to confront changing environments and it helped me to become more self-reflective and to get to know myself better. 

Of course, studying abroad enhances many academic benefits, from this year long program, I developed and acquired various skills. Skills that will give me the advantage when seeking job opportunities in the years to come. I had the opportunity to work with students from all over the world, was taught by numerous lecturers and professors which allowed me to gain an insight into different cultures and how others view different concepts. Together we faced challenges we had never faced before, and we began to see who we were through the differences and similarities we observed within our cultures. I was given the chance to write a thesis and gain a second degree in Business administration. I also feel more prepared heading into my final year of college. 

Not only does this opportunity imrpove your academic skills, it also imrpoves your social amd communication. You gain a huge network of connections and friends for life. If you are anything like me, you also will jump on any opportunity to travel. I quickly become friends with people from different parts of the world and travelled across Europe. There was not a weekend we did not explore another country.   

I cannot explain in words how grateful I am of the opportunity to study abroad. I had the time of my life and would love to redo the whole thing again. I understand all your doubts and worries. Although all I have left are memories, I encourage students to take the leap and experience this once in a lifetime opportunity, as I can guarantee you will not regret it.