Applying to colleges can be very stressful; it is deciding on how you want to start the next chapter of your life. While worrying about scholarships and acceptance, you might also start thinking about studying abroad.
Studying abroad is the perfect opportunity to explore a new country while also furthering your education; however, the thought of traveling to a foreign place alone can be nerve racking or maybe even stressful. Students may be frightened by the idea of traveling to a foreign country and these feelings are completely validated, but the perfect way to overcome this fear is to talk to someone who has experienced a study abroad program.
Woodland’s very own Miss Jillian Jackman entered a study abroad program while she was attending Sacred Heart University, and traveled to Dublin, Ireland to study abroad in their program.
“Sacred Heart has a really great study abroad program, and especially being a history major and education major, I always knew I wanted to go abroad. My one thing was I wanted to go somewhere where I was able to fully understand the language and communicate efficiently,” said Jackman.
Traveling to a country that does not speak your language can be uncomfortable. In that case, you may want to choose a location where it is easier to communicate with native speakers.
“I wanted to travel to a place where I could understand the people so it was up to England or Ireland at that point,” said Jackman. “I had never been to Ireland and had always been interested in the culture. Sacred Heart University has their own campus there so it just made sense.”
While the transition may be difficult, Jackman had no problem with it.
“I think nervous excitement is what drives you to do something new. I was not scared to leave the United States, I was just eager to explore and interact with new people,” said Jackamn. “You have to be willing to take on an adventure to study abroad because there is a huge aspect of exploration with that experience.”
Depending on who you are, being social may come easily or it may be something you are working on. For Jillian Jackman, being social is just her way of life.
Being in a foreign place with lots of people you have never met can be intimidating and scary. Jillian Jackman was fortunate enough to have her college roommate also go abroad with her to Ireland so it made the transition easier but nevertheless still exciting and new.
“You never know what you will find or who you will meet in a new place studying with people you don’t know,” said Jackman. “Put yourself out there because you never know the bonds you can make and what impact they will have on your life.”
