Last semester in mid-February, I packed my bags and said PEACE OUT to the United States for 5 months. It was always my dream to go to Australia, and after a little over 30 hours (yes it really does take that long to go across the world), that dream came true. I stepped out of the plane and into an entirely new country ready for the study abroad adventure of my life. Just like any person who studies abroad, I was already envisioning all the partying, meeting new lifelong friends, and crazy stories I would have to tell upon my return. And, let’s just say, the second I heard the Australian accents I was in LOVE.
The first month, all was great. I partied it up, met some new friends, successfully started school on a new and very different campus, explored, and went to the beach almost every day. Not to be dramatic, but that might have been my favorite month of my life thus far. This was the perfect study abroad experience I dreamed of and I was on the road to becoming the stereotypical person who comes back from their semester saying “study abroad changed my life.” And oh boy did it do just that, but in a way I never imagined.
Because then: COVID-19 happened. We all know what happened from there. The world literally shut down. As you can imagine, this put a major damper on my study abroad plans. I was across the world with no idea what to do next. Most study abroad students were arranging flights home and I found myself not knowing what my next step would be, or what my next step should be.
While most people were leaving, I ultimately decided to stay with my sister and our one newly acquired best friend who made the same decision. So, we quarantined in Australia. I ended up staying there the full 5 months and it was the best decision I have ever made. Here’s why.
Before quarantine hit in Australia, I started to get into a routine. I was going to my classes on campus every day and then going out a few nights a week. It was definitely fun, but very similar to what I did at KU, just a different setting and different accents. When this COVID-19 craziness started, classes went online, and I was left with no schedule whatsoever and no opportunities to go to bars or out with friends anymore. This, of course, had its drawbacks. I wasn’t able to meet as many new people or get the study abroad experience I pictured, but, I decided to let go of my previous expectations and embrace it. I was living in the land of never-ending beaches and pretty sights just waiting to be explored AND I no longer had a routine. I’m a worrier by nature and with all the uncertainty everyone was facing, it was harder to live in the moment, but I really pushed myself and took every opportunity. Me, my sister, and our best friend formed a little squad and started being appreciative of all the little things. I woke up early to watch the sunrises and had countless sunset picnics. I started going on hikes and beach walks and even took up journaling. Even though I didn’t meet as many new friends as I wanted, or go out as much as I thought I would, I got to take life a little slower and explore the things I wouldn’t have seen in a normal semester.
Ultimately, I left Australia with an irreplaceable bond with my sister and best friend, and an irreplaceable bond with the country itself. I mean, we got through the start of a pandemic together, thats certainly something I’ll never get to experience again. I learned that not everything in life goes as planned, but sometimes the unexpected and unplanned can be good. By no means was studying abroad during a pandemic ideal, but I got more out of my study abroad semester than I ever even thought I would. With or without COVID-19 (and lets hope without), I encourage anyone who decides to study abroad to take a step back and appreciate even the smallest things from their experience.