Coping with Emotions Before and After Study Abroad

There’s something strange about reflecting on my experience of studying abroad. When I try to remember how I felt before leaving, my mind goes blank. It’s almost like the experience was so broad and eye-opening that I can’t separate the emotions I had back then from the lessons I’ve learned since. But I found a way to piece it together.

Recently, I opened up the journal I took with me to Germany and reread my first entry. The date was March 5th, 2024, and I was sitting alone at Atlanta airport, about to start what I called “the adventure of a lifetime.” I remember feeling excited—but scared. My parents had just dropped me off, and I was sitting at gate F3 with my brown sugar espresso in hand after a chaotic encounter with TSA (which involved me getting yelled at because I didn’t know “common sense,” apparently).

As I sat at the gate, I did what I always do when I need comfort: I opened my Bible. That’s when I came across Proverbs 11:24-31, which says, “There is one who scatters, yet increases more.” It hit me hard. At

that moment, I realized I was the one scattering—heading to Europe all by myself, not knowing what would come next—but also that this scattering might lead to something beautiful.

Looking back now, I can see how true that was.

Before Studying Abroad: Excitement and Anxiety

I’m not going to lie—before I left, I had no idea what to expect. I sat next to a group of women at the airport who were heading to Switzerland and Italy for a girls’ trip, talking about how excited they were to travel. I listened, nodding, but all I could think was, “How do they know how to do all of this?”

At that time, I couldn’t even begin to imagine myself traveling around Europe, hopping from country to country. Little did I know that in a few months, I’d be a pro at navigating Ryanair and Flixbus. Those little tools became my best friends, helping me explore cities I never dreamed of visiting. It wasn’t easy in the beginning, though.

Coping with the Unknown

That first stretch of studying abroad was filled with challenges. I had to figure out how to live in a new country, adapt to a new culture, and navigate unfamiliar systems—everything from opening a bank account to buying groceries was new. But as scary as it was, I discovered ways to cope and find happiness.

First, I leaned on faith. Proverbs 11 kept popping into my head during those moments when I felt alone or unsure. It reminded me that although I was “scattering” myself into the unknown, there was purpose in the journey. I also relied on my humor (because really, what else can you do after getting yelled at by TSA?). I started laughing at the little bumps in the road, knowing they’d make for good stories later.

Then there were the friendships I made—people who became like family. I had no idea when I arrived that I’d be meeting some of the most incredible people I’ve ever known. They helped me feel at home, and we explored the unknown together.

During Study Abroad: Thriving on My Own

Slowly, I began to thrive. The fear I had in the beginning transformed into a sense of independence and excitement. I went from not knowing how to plan a trip to organizing weekend getaways across Europe with ease. The unknown became something I craved, and I learned to embrace the spontaneity that comes with it.

Those six months in Germany became the best time of my life. I fell in love with the process of figuring things out on my own. It made me stronger, more confident, and more aware of who I am.

After Studying Abroad: Coming Home

Coming home, though, was a different story. My journal entry on August 14th, 2024, reflects that feeling perfectly. I wrote it at 7:58 a.m., sitting at the airport, exhausted and ready to come back to the U.S. After months of traveling and living out of a suitcase, I was longing for air conditioning, routine, and family. I remember tossing my passport in the trash (by accident!) and a man with a flashlight helping me fish it out—a perfect end to a whirlwind experience.

I was ready to be back. But as soon as I returned, I found myself missing everything about Germany—my friends, the culture, the adventure of not knowing what each day would bring. It’s funny how that works, right? I had gotten so used to living in that space of uncertainty that normal life back home felt… too certain.

Coping with the Return

It wasn’t easy adjusting back to life in the States. I’d talk about my time abroad constantly (maybe a little too much), but I couldn’t help it—it was all I could think about. My friends must’ve gotten tired of hearing about Germany, but I didn’t care. That experience was such a big part of me, and I knew it shaped me in ways I couldn’t even explain.

Thankfully, I found ways to cope with the post-study abroad blues. I stayed connected with the friends I made overseas, and I even started spending time with exchange students from Germany at my university. Being around them brings back a sense of the world I had to leave behind, and it helps me feel like I’m still connected to that experience.

Looking Forward: What’s Next?

Even now, months after coming back, I still think about Germany all the time. I miss it more than I ever thought possible, and I constantly wonder when I’ll get the chance to go back. There’s no way to know for sure, but I like to think it’ll happen. And when it does, I’ll be ready.

The thing is, study abroad taught me more than just how to live in a foreign country. It taught me how to embrace uncertainty, how to grow through challenges, and how to be okay with not having all the answers. Now, whenever life throws something unexpected at me, I don’t shy away from it. I lean into it, because I know that’s where the magic happens.

So, to anyone reading this who’s about to study abroad, or who’s just come back and is feeling a little lost—know that you’re not alone. It’s normal to feel all of these emotions, and it’s okay to miss the person you became during your time abroad. That version of you is still there, and they’re going to keep growing with every new adventure you take.

Thanks for reading and letting me share a little piece of my story.