Study Middle Eastern Studies Abroad

I met so many people from diverse places and backgrounds, however, the most common comment I got when people first met me while I was in England was "you have such a cute American" accent. I don't know why but it made me laugh and overall made all my interactions feel lighter and more comfortable. I had such an amazing time on campus, exploring Exeter, and seeing what England has to offer. Not as many Americans pick the UK for a study abroad location, it just is not as popular for some reason. However, I would like to argue that coming to Exeter is not about beans on toast but about the student, staff, environment, and much more. I had the time of my life in England, went on lots of amazing adventures, met amazing people through societies, classes, and international events, learned and grew as a person, also met my best friend, and didn't want to leave at the end of the semester. There was not a single second in my study abroad that did not feel like an adventure, from the time I stepped foot in Bristol, to having strangers helping through the London underground and tubes late at night on my way back to America!

Going abroad was, undoubtedly, what I needed to start becoming the best version of myself. The University of Exeter is a fantastic campus with a plethora of societies to join. Before studying abroad, I really kept to myself at school, but I was determined to make the most of it, and I opened myself up and joined so many organizations — from the Body Society for work out classes, to the Harry Potter society to do scavenger hunts. I found myself not only being more willing to interact with others, but having these interactions became so much easier for me to do. I, a proud introvert, suddenly felt so much less awkward starting conversations with strangers. I was in a new environment, and— while that is scary— Exeter is a wonderful place to sit and ponder those emotions. Coming from a non-walkable city, there is nothing I loved more than spending time with myself at the quayside, or being able to walk from my dorms in the middle of town to anywhere in the city. As a writer, it allowed me to truly observe the world around me, and how I wanted to put it to the page. I left Exeter with nothing but kind things to say. Every student and teacher and local that I met was absolutely lovely, and there are many that I still keep in touch with and cherish dearly. This is a journey that I cannot recommend enough.