As the seasons change and the fall semester begins to wrap up, time seems to slip away even quicker than before. Studying abroad this semester has brought a lifetime’s worth of experiences, but it has also proven to me the importance of remaining present throughout every day.
Before embarking to Scotland for a study abroad semester, I was confident in how I intended to spend my time away. Remaining present in the country I’d spend months in became a priority for me, as I hoped to truly immerse myself in the culture and lifestyle.
What drove this goal was a piece of advice I had gotten before my departure: Experiencing a semester abroad is one of the few times in life when one has the chance not just to see a new place, but to become part of a new place. By spending every weekend away, one will naturally miss out on the opportunity to truly become a part of the local community and country.
Looking back on the goal I made four months ago – to remain present in Scotland for the entirety of the semester – I can now recognize the rewards I’ve reaped by following through with it.
I’ve had the opportunity to experience what life in the university town of Stirling has to offer, learn about the nation’s history in their major cities and see some of the world’s most beautiful landscapes by taking weekend trips to the Scottish Highlands.
That being said, the rate at which time is ticking down towards the semester’s end is raising the pressure to remain an active participant in life now more than ever.
For many students, the end of any semester, one spent abroad or not, brings the promise of time soon-to-be-spent with friends and family at home. This ‘light at the end of the tunnel’ can lead to wishing away precious time, something I’ve tried extensively to avoid.
The idea of remaining present has only been solidified through my experience studying abroad. It’s given me the opportunity to reflect on the passing of time in a way I have never had before.
Ultimately, part of what makes this experience so priceless is the fact that this was my one and only opportunity of studying in a foreign country.
I have the rest of my life to travel and move from place to place, but the chance to study abroad is limited to college life. It will forever be an experience that offers such a unique perspective on what it means to learn from a more global perspective.
When I think about time slipping away while at home, I know that in most cases, I’ll ultimately be returning to something similar eventually. When I moved away from my hometown for the first time, I knew it would be waiting for me to return for holidays and in the summers. When the first year of college wrapped up, I knew I’d be returning to Moscow for many years to come.
Without that buffer to remind me I can return to this life whenever I want, I’ve done my best to be extra diligent towards spending my time here effectively.
Though especially relevant to my life now, the importance of remaining present is a lesson everyone can utilize in their own lives. It’s easy to get caught up in the quick-pace life has set for us, so much so that while we’re experiencing one moment, all we can think about is the next.
Keeping this in mind, I intend on soaking up every last moment of my semester abroad in Scotland. In a short month I’ll be boarding a flight home and I hope to leave with no regrets about the way I’ve spent my time here.
Paige Wilton can be reached at [email protected].