StoriesBack to Stories

By Rachel F., YES Abroad 2016-2017, Bulgaria

Study abroad – it's unlike any vacation you've ever had (because studying abroad IS NOT A VACATION)!

It's been about a month since I've landed in Sofia, Bulgaria, and I'm starting to feel the pressure from all my responsibilities. Apparently, when one travels to the other side of the world for 10 months, their responsibilities catch a later flight and stress tags along just for fun. This is something I quickly realized within the first two weeks of being here. Those first two weeks of orientation and intensive language lessons made my brain turn into a mushy pile of matter. With a full agenda and the promise of a demanding school, I realized that it might be a while before I got a break.

There are all these things that I want to do, or at least try to do, on exchange, but I'm finding that maybe I don't have enough time. Already a month has gone by, and I'm struggling to come up with the successes I've had. It also makes me wonder what I'll even be able to accomplish if the next nine months go by as quickly as the first. I was just a little bit frustrated having all these people asking me to do things, when all I wanted to do was be with my host family and make friends here. Are these not important things to do? These were my thoughts until I had a bit of an 'aha' moment.

First of all, I know I have achieved things. My host family and I are getting along really well. Since we've only known each other for one month, that's pretty amazing to me. My host sister and I even spend hours in our room together. Admittedly, most of the time we're doing homework, but at least we're comfortable with each other.

I am also starting to make friends. There's a girl I talk to on the way to school, some of my classmates even say 'hi' to me when they walk into the room, and sometimes, I even eat lunch with people besides the two other YES Abroad-ers. That's not bad for one month. 

There's a lot to look forward to as well. I've already reached out on my own about volunteering and am looking for more opportunities to do so. I started practicing with a girls' football (soccer) team. After having these realizations, I'm beginning to get really excited about chances to share my experience with other people. Even though I don't understand everything yet (and I probably never will), I still have something to say. I just need to figure out how to say it in a way that works for me. 

While studying abroad is not a vacation, it is more impressive than any vacation could ever be. So here's to looking back at my accomplishments, looking forward to my opportunities, and being optimistic that my exchange is the best experience for me.