My semester study abroad experience was one of the most memorable and rewarding. This was the perfect opportunity to not only learn about a different country and culture, but also learn a lot about myself as an individual.

I studied at a business school, Robert Gordon University, in Aberdeen, Scotland. The school itself was very diverse and had students from all over Europe, which allowed me to learn about cultures beyond Scotland. I got to know some very great instructors and some of them still email me to ask how I am and how my studies are going.

Although study abroad sounds mostly academic, it was much more than that and taught me lessons that I would have not been able to learn in a classroom. I learned that getting out of my comfort zone can be rewarding and allows me to expand my worldview.

I got to see many beautiful places and meet wonderful people. The first thing I noticed about Scotland was the fresh air and no bugs. It was so great not seeing a spider in my room for three months! Scotland has some of the most gorgeous landscapes that I got to enjoy.

The best and most important part of my experience was the friendships that I created while being abroad. I made friends with people from different countries that shared their culture, cuisine, celebrations, and traditions with me. Even though I come from an international background, I quickly saw how little of the world I know and how amazing it is being exposed to a different environment and learn about different people. This experience allowed to me to be more open towards people and left me with lifelong memories that shaped me as an individual.