Lilly is a Politics and International Relations Student at Queen Mary University of London who studied for a year at Columbia University in the city of New York.

My time at Columbia is best understood by the constant themes that defined my exchange there: taking chances and trying something new, finding unexpected delight in so many places, and discovering a new version of myself through it all.

Study abroad might not be the best time of your life all the time, but it offers one of the best opportunities for your development. It is an intensive course in self-discovery and an adventure into the wider world. Every challenge or heartbreak and every instance of joy creates a fresh view of yourself. The more we question ourselves and move out of our comfort zone, the more a new version of ourselves emerges; getting to know who that person is, is one of the most worthwhile things of all about studying abroad.

Adjusting to the reality of being on Columbia’s campus also meant getting used to another university system and its differences. Attendance and participation in class were graded, not just recorded! Classes involved a lot more groupwork, case studies, presentations, and quizzes, but the variety was enjoyable. I initially felt apprehensive turning up at the office hours of world experts whose names I had only read in books or heard in interviews, thinking they would be too busy for the questions of an exchange student, but was pleasantly surprised to find that they were approachable and happy to give useful feedback.

Taking a mixture of classes, including some outside my area of study together with advanced seminars in my subject – American politics, sustainable development, and international law and human rights to name a few, allowed me to open to new perspectives, widen my skillset, and meet some extraordinary people. A regular fixture of classes was also guest speakers – from decisionmakers in the World Food Programme, to human rights advocates, and specialists in global health. I studied at Columbia during a period of global political turmoil – at a time when cameras and eyes turned to face the significant events that took place on campus – even this can be considered an educational experience. During my studies abroad I had the privilege of learning from people who have changed the world in positive ways both great and small and instilled in their students a belief that they can do the same.

Although there was no language barrier, culture shock was real, and less of a sudden obstacle than something that steadily creeps up on you through seemingly minor differences. Sometimes this resulted in situations that are funny in retrospect – heads turning when I used the word ‘lorry’ in class instead of ‘truck’ and no one knew what I was talking about. Comparisons of home versus abroad – prices not including sales tax, coins lacking numerals to indicate face value, and bedsheets coming with top sheets instead of duvet covers in the US – provided greater sources of vexation. Managing sharing a room with roommates I had never met before was also a new experience for me which came with its fair share of hiccups.

Eventually, though, my favourite haunts became the same as those of the students and faculty. I studied in dorm sky lounges; attended the annual hilarious ‘bad poetry contest’, advertised only via suspicious-looking flyers distributed on campus; and the ‘legendary’ Hungarian Pastry Shop became my go-to café! Columbia’s Undergraduate Student Life held lotteries for tickets throughout the year, which I entered, not expecting to win, but I won tickets for a trip to the opera – the first I had ever seen, a Broadway musical, and ice skating.

During the Winter break I volunteered to be a staff member at the Columbia Model UN Conference, getting to work alongside amazing students, as well as chaperone high-school students on a trip to the Irish permanent mission to the UN.

There is a lot of expectation to make plans to sightsee all the attractions, travel the most, and visit everything on study abroad, yet I was able to make some of my most precious memories on my exchange out of situations I had not planned for. I happened to be in New York when the best solar eclipse in almost a century happened, watching with friends on campus – and wrote about it! A real highlight of my time abroad was a surprise trip for Juniors and Seniors to Coney Island organised by the Columbia College Student Council. Stumbling upon the wristband pickup desk by chance on my way back to my dorm, I quickly messaged a buddy – another exchange student from QMUL – and later that week along with hundreds of other students, we headed to Luna Park, where I overcame a fear of rollercoasters going on the Cyclone.

You don’t have to hike canyons, make massive groups of friends, or backpack everywhere to gain a real appreciation for the joys of life studying abroad; moments to treasure can be found through things as simple as meeting with classmates for a walk in the park, Thanksgiving Potlucks, and a sunset picnic by yourself on Library steps. Despite the occasionally difficult situations encountered and the academically challenging classes to handle, I liked that I gained resilience and grew in independence.

With the grant funding provided by the Turing Scheme, I was able to visit the United Nations Headquarters in New York, as well as see Madame Butterfly at the Metropolitan Opera. These were truly unforgettable experiences, and I am grateful for the grant enriching my time in the States, as well as covering the cost of my flights.

Throughout my exchange, the Global Opportunities Office at QMUL was constantly supportive. Their pre-departure sessions were also highly informative and helped me sort out and secure funding that made this possible. Students from Columbia who had studied abroad at QMUL themselves commended them for being very helpful. My academic advisor at Columbia’s Berick Center for Student Advising was wonderful. It was also clear the Center for Global Engagement at Columbia, and my Residence Hall Director really cared about students.

Studying abroad is a big decision, but I am glad I took the chance… Go for it! There will be ups and downs, you will have moments where you want to go home and sometimes question if you really should have gone abroad, but it’s part of learning to be a stronger person, and finding that strength requires effort, like learning how to live in a totally different place to what you are accustomed to and finding a sense of belonging and purpose. I became more capable, and more comfortable interacting and presenting. My study abroad adventure made me realise what is out there in the world and in myself – and what both have to offer.