Category: Advice

FOMO

Published on by zoekaldorLeave a comment

You can’t do everything. I hate that phrase because it’s true. As I spend more time abroad, there is so much I want to do and try, but I don’t physically have the time, and it is infuriating. I decided to take a Friday class (something I tend to avoid at DU), which I go back and forth regretting. On the one hand, I enjoy the class, but on the other, I don’t have a long weekend. Who knew Tuesday/Friday classes could be so problematic. Almost every other student on my program does not have class on Friday, so they explore and travel, but there is only so much class I can miss, something I don’t like doing.

Last weekend, many of my friends traveled to Santiago, Chile, and I really wanted to go. Every day, I changed my mind about whether I would skip class. I ultimately decided not to go to Chile because I knew I was going to visit the country later in the semester. I was also sick and had been for the past two weeks, so I figured it was better for me to rest. It was a good decision.

I had the same problem, not even a week later. My friends were going hiking. There were other plans for the rest of the weekend, so Friday was the only available day for most people. This time, I knew I wouldn’t be able to skip class, for I had a group project. A slightly selfish part of me wished they didn’t go, which I quickly realized was a ridiculous thought.

 

It’s hard watching your peers enjoy activities without you, but it is part of the experience. I think everyone has a fear of missing out (FOMO), something social media aggravates. There is always going to be a seemingly better option. Right now, it’s which trip sounds the coolest? I also have to ask myself: how much class can I realistically miss? What am I trying to get out of my abroad experience? This last question had helped me a lot. I chose to study in Argentina because I want to improve my Spanish. I remind myself of this when I see my abroad friends taking advantage of their free Friday, or my friends from school all together getting ready for classes or meeting up in Europe. Despite my feelings of loneliness, I know why I chose Argentina, and I am so glad that I did.

Zoe Kaldor

 ARGENTINA – IFSA: MENDOZA UNIVERSITIES PROGRAM, 2018 FALL

Zoe Kaldor is an International Studies and Strategic Communication double major. She is studying abroad with IFSA-Butler in Mendoza, Argentina. Originally from New York, DU’s study abroad program was one of the reasons Zoe chose to attend DU. She specifically chose to study abroad in Argentina because she wants to improve her Spanish skills and experience a new culture, for she believes it is so important in an increasingly global society to be able to communicate in languages besides English as well as experience different ways of life. Zoe is an avid traveler and loves to explore new places; she is excited she gets to do both.

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Two Months Abroad- What I know for Certain Now

Published on by emmygrabLeave a comment

November 1st. Officially two months abroad and wow, it’s been eye opening. Not necessarily in the positive, stereotypical light that one would expect during their study abroad journey, but one that is still slightly positive. However, this trip so far has proven to be the most difficult thing for me to accomplish in my life thus far, mostly because this experience has pushed me out of my comfort zone in so many ways. Managing my expenses, doing all my homework on time and to the best of my ability, and trying to make the most of being abroad while still maintaining my sense of self is overwhelming, so overwhelming that in the course of two months, my need to go home is immense.

Before I left, around the middle of May, I got a knot in my stomach every time I thought about going to Ottawa. I just couldn’t even imagine myself living abroad by myself (not even any acquaintances from DU) and being able to have a decent experience. It was so great that I even considered pulling the plug on the application. But my parents and friends insisted that I go on this is a once in a lifetime opportunity, to which I agreed, and buried my fears under a strong, artificial confidence that I broadcasted to everyone asking about my upcoming travels. As soon as I stepped in the airport, a few minor suitcase mishaps occurred and the next minute I was crying in the middle of the airport with both of my parents consoling me. It wasn’t over a dumb suitcase mishap, it was because I was going abroad and it was too late to pull out.

From the moment I left the airport, I tried to be strong and enjoy my experience. There were (and probably will be) some positive moments in my experience. Walking around Ottawa on my own time and seeing all my surroundings is fun. Eating poutine, my new local comfort food, for lunch every Friday has become my weekly routine. The occasional trips that the International Office conducts are interesting, too. But, other than that, this experience has been pretty tough for me so far at many different angles. I like the school part of UOttawa, meaning that my classes are fascinating to attend, but I think I ultimately chose the wrong timeframe and program. I think I would be better off doing a summer term program, where it is a little shorter. A fall semester is long, compared to the fall quarter at DU. Time goes by so slowly here and for me, it’s awful. I also don’t think I, as a person, am cut out for studying abroad. I get nervous traveling to a new part of Denver, why would I even bother going to a foreign city?

But I did, and I’m here, trying to make the best of this situation I put myself in. That, in itself, is the moral of my post: if you have any knots within your stomach, pay attention to them! Do what is best for you and not what other people think! Studying abroad is a great experience and one could look at it as a realization of sorts. Had I not come abroad, I would have never realized how difficult it was for me, thus determining how I will handle these experiences and travel differently in the future. So, study abroad was worthwhile for me, in that capacity. But it also taught me to trust my gut from the get go. There was a reason there seemed to be a billion knots in my stomach prior to me leaving. I wished I would’ve paid attention to that.

My ultimate goal is to finish my classes strong and start getting my belongings packed for my departure. I still have six-ish weeks left until I leave, but it’s never too early to start sorting through stuff to make the packing easier during finals.

I don’t know when I’ll write a new post, maybe when I leave in a few weeks. We’ll see. . . until next time!