I Moved Halfway Across the World By Myself: Here’s Why You Should Too
Lessons from abroad and beyond
If you told me three years ago that I would spend five months studying abroad in a foreign country, I would’ve laughed in your face. At that time, I was a self-proclaimed introvert without a taste for adventure—I preferred spending more time with books than people.
Fast forward to now, and I am nearly halfway through what has been one of the greatest and most interesting phases of my life; a time I’m sure to look back upon with awe and gratitude.
When my brother moved to Vienna, Austria in September 2023 and proceeded to have the time of his life, I wasn’t surprised at all. He’s a geography nerd that loves to explore, and he’s never been afraid of not making friends or fitting in like I am. When he came home four months later, absolutely devastated it was all over, he proclaimed that studying abroad was the best decision ever. Without his influence–knowing someone who experienced living abroad and not only survived but thrived–I know I would not have been brave enough to start on the same path myself.
I arrived in Vienna on February 1st, 2025, and since then, I’ve visited 5 new countries and have plans to visit a dozen more. I’ve met people from around the world, I live on the same floor as all my friends, and I get to experience what it’s like to live in the most livable city—all while getting credit for fun classes and studying at a modern and beautiful university.
Though it hasn’t been easy, the struggles are worth it. Let’s be real: I cried when my mom dropped me off at the airport, I cried on my 21st birthday (it was my third day here, but what melodramatic person doesn’t cry on their birthday?), and I miss my friends and family everyday. Some days, I’m ready to go back to North America for a week before resuming my new life in Austria. With all that said, you might think I am doing a terrible job of convincing more people to embark on this same journey!
Here’s the thing, though; the most rewarding feeling is often the one of overcoming challenges. While I doubted myself—I was scared of not making friends and was intimidated of living in a country where I don’t speak the language, despite my 60 day Duolingo German streak—all my fears dissipated in less than a day. My first day here wasn’t fun in the slightest (after arriving at my dark and somewhat dingy student housing), but I forced myself to make it fun. I sent out a message in a group chat asking if anyone wanted to go out to help me fight off homesickness, and it worked! A kind neighbour responded to my cry for help and we went to a nearby spot (literally called Travel Shack) and became fast friends.
Overcoming that challenge and the many more I have faced since then has allowed my independence, maturity, and confidence to grow. With everything I know left behind in Canada, I rely on myself alone to navigate anything life throws at me, and life on exchange throws a LOT: imagine staying at a party hostel in Poland after your friend gets her purse and passport stolen, negotiating with the local donair guy who doesn’t speak English after he gives you a bottle of water instead of a chicken kebab sandwich, waking up at 2:00am to catch a cheap flight and seeing your friends returning from a night out on your way to the airport, the list goes on.
As each day passes, I continue to realize that these experiences are what shape us. Everything at home will be waiting for me, but will I ever be 21 and exploring the most random, cheap countries with people I met only a month before? The answer–of course not!
So, why should you study abroad? Maybe it’s to experience living on your own, learn a new language, take a class not offered at the UofA, or even save money—because if you’re paying tuition anyway, why not do it with the help of the Education Abroad Award? Or, maybe it’s a chance to leave your comfort zone across the world and live a life that’s unlike anything you’ve ever experienced before.
Studying abroad is scary, amazing, difficult, challenging, easy, fun, empowering, and wonderful all at once. If you’re looking into one of the most amazing opportunities for growth, here it is.
As I look ahead to the rest of my time here in Vienna, I know I will look back on this crazy period of my life with gratitude for everything that it has given and taught me. Whether living across the world sounds like a dream come true or a nightmare, I would recommend capitalizing on the opportunity while you still can. Discomfort will turn to joy, strangers will turn to friends, and the city that seemed so foreign will become home. The world is calling–it’s up to you on how to answer.
Resources:
If I have somehow convinced you to study abroad (which I sure hope I have!), you can check out the following resources to get started!
Me (Seriously! Please reach out if you have any questions!)
Note: As the 2024/2025 WIB season comes to a close, I’d like to thank everyone who has read the blog! Thank you to WIB for giving me this unique and amazing opportunity to explore my passion of writing. I’ve learned so much and hope you have grown with me throughout this journey. This is Camryn signing off!
Beyond the Blog
A place to find hyper-specific media recommendations, focused on highlighting our favourite female-centric books and music.
Books
For my last Beyond the Blog section, I’d like to end off with my favourite genre–literary fiction based in New York City. These books just feel real; the characters are relatable, there’s no cringe-factor that you find in today’s romcom novels, and they’re all based in a respectable, entertaining city. Here are my top lit-fics that I’ll never forget about:
Cleopatra and Frankenstein by Coco Mellors: Is there anything better than reading about the lives of rich artists in New York? Hilarious, heartbreaking, and moving, Cleopatra and Frankenstein explores flawed relationships, families, and the glamour and horror of New York City.
In Five Years by Rebecca Yarros: A Manhattan-based lawyer seems to have it all; but, the night she gets proposed to and receives partnership, she dreams of a night five years in the future, wearing a different ring, in a different apartment, next to a different man. Waking up in the present, she can’t shake the vision…I read this book in a single sitting–I loved how the romance aspects were balanced with introspective moments and dramatic scenes.
My Year of Rest and Relaxation by Ottessa Moshfegh: In 2001, a young, beautiful, grief-driven and deeply flawed woman decides to try and sleep for an entire year with the help of NYC’s worst psychiatrist. You will either love or hate this one, depending on if you find the main character relatable or infuriating (I lean a bit more towards infuriating, but still think it’s worth a read for vibes alone.)
The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue by Victoria E. Schwab: A young woman trades her soul for immortality but is cursed to be forgotten by everyone—until, after 300 years, she meets a man in New York City who remembers her. Slightly fantasy, slightly romance, and tantalizing prose will make you fall in love with Addie LaRue.
Music
Two months of experiencing European nightlife has caused me to fall in love with dance and electronic music all over again, especially the classics. Here are my favourite 90’s songs to listen to while I’m out, or when I need a confidence boost before attempting to order at a cafe in German:
Freed from Desire by Gala: The classics of all classics. If I hear this, no matter where I am, you bet I am singing every lyric!
Be My Lover by La Bouche: A true European hit that makes you feel like you’re in Paris in 1995.
Mr. Vain by Culture Beat: You might know this one from Carrie Bradshaw edits on TikTok. Mr. Vain is just that anthem for all the it-girls out there.
Rhythm of the Night by Corona: So classic it’s almost cliche.
