The British Museum. Photo by Alex Stadnik.

Staring down the dream

If you are reading this and are on the fence about studying abroad, it is my sincerest hope I can encourage you to take the plunge into what will be one of the greatest experiences of your life.

For me, studying abroad was always in the plan. It was not a question of if, but when and where. Even when I wanted to transfer universities and chase other things, that idea of traveling kept me grounded at UND because it was the only way I would be able to fulfill my “dream” of seeing the world.

When I decided to stay in Grand Forks, the question became: Where was I going spring semester? This was a difficult decision for me because there were so many places I wanted to see.

Ireland, Greece, London, Rome, — there was a whole world out there to see. I struggled with this for weeks until a friend made it crystal clear.

“Stadnik, when the hell are you gonna have another chance to study in Rome for four months … ”

The light clicked, and I knew where I was going.

The Eternal City!

Flash forward through meetings, Skype calls with advisors, and a tumultuous amount of paperwork, and before I knew it, finals had come and I was spending my last days taking the frigid walk from my McEnroe apartment to Merrifield in the snow.

The last day on campus was a bittersweet one, knowing it was the last time I would be walking down University Ave. for eight months. There was a feeling of nostalgia, looking at the buildings I had so often passed by without a second thought.

I was nervous, but I was ready to leave comfort behind and start my journey.

After a week of not sleeping, packing and saying goodbye to my family and friends, it was time to head to the airport. I checked my bag, gave my mom one last hug (minimal tears by my mother, good job Mom!) and then, I was alone.

I was not scared of flying. I was not scared of being in a foreign land. But I was scared of being alone and not having any friends with me.

Study Abroud Tip #1: Even if you have to go abroad by yourself, do it!

I was alone for all of an hour. When I sat down at my gate, I started to notice kids who looked my age. After I worked up enough courage, I nervously introduced myself and found out that I had people in the same program as I did on my flight.

So much for being alone.

As I started to get to know my new friends, we landed in Philadelphia to connect to our next flight.

The layover did not last long and we boarded our flight. I sat down in my own row, thank God, and before I knew it, the wheels were up and I was no longer on American soil.

Here we go.

London calling

As part of our program, we got to spend two days exploring the streets of London. At this point I was exhausted from the flight and just wanted a bed, but I was in awe of what I was seeing. I was in London, England!

No amount of jet lag could keep me from marveling out of the bus window at everything from how we were driving on the “wrong” side of the road, to how close everyone drives to one another, which is terrifying, to how even the architecture was different from back home.

When we finally got to the hotel, we unpacked, and I had to fight like hell against the urge to take a nap.

Tip #2: You’re going to be tired, from everything, that’s what caffeine if for. Don’t miss out on things for sleep!

Even though we had just arrived in a completely foreign land, a group of people wanted to jump into the city right away and see the famous Abbey Road. To get there, we had to take the subway, or tube as it’s referred to by the Brits. Me being the cautious individual I am, I was apprehensive to just get on a train and venture out into a huge city like London.

Tip #3: Don’t miss an opportunity, explore, that is why you went on this trip.

I sucked up my nerves and exhaustion and because of that, I got to see a piece of music history that every Beatle fan hopes to see.

After the trip back I succumbed to jet lag and napped, went to a meeting, had my first legal beer and it was bedtime.

The next day was a lot of sightseeing, from Big Ben, to the London Bridge, and taking a ride on the London Eye, we did it all.

After the official tour was over, our guides dropped us off in the middle of London and we had to get back on our own, which intimidated the hell out of me.

Tip #4: Get lost …  As long as you can find home again.

Exploring on our own has been one of the best experiences of this trip.

We got to see side streets and corners of London that we wouldn’t have been able to see if we were on the “official” tour, even if that did mean almost getting left alone trying to find a one of your best friends in a city of over eight million.

Before I realized it, my London experience was over and it was time to go.

What a great experience studying abroad! I am so happy I experienced it!

Wait what? That wasn’t the full trip? Oh that’s right.

On to Florence…

Stay tuned in The Dakota Student for more updates from Alex Stadnik. Alex is a staff writer for The Dakota Student. He can be reached at [email protected].