By Sophia Stockden, Fourth Year, English and Spanish
Studying abroad is often hyped up as a life-changing opportunity, the ultimate university experience, an adventure filled with new cultures, new friends, and personal growth. But does it actually live up to the expectations?
After spending a year away from Bristol on my own year abroad, I’ve experienced all the highs and lows of living in another country, from the thrill of independence to the challenges of homesickness and culture shock. Now that I’m back, I find myself questioning: was it all worth it?
The highs: why studying abroad can be life-changing
One of the biggest takeaways from my year abroad was the sheer amount of personal growth, as cliché as it sounds. Moving to a new country forces you to be independent in ways you might never have experienced before. Navigating public transport in a foreign language, figuring out how to set up a SIM card, or even just grocery shopping in a completely different system, it all pushes you outside your comfort zone. At first, it was overwhelming, but over time, I became more confident in handling challenges on my own.
It goes without saying, the cultural immersion was incredible. From adapting to a new lifestyle, discovering local traditions, and learning how to properly pronounce words I’d been butchering for years, I found myself understanding the world from a fresh perspective. If you’re studying a language, this aspect is even more valuable - it felt like the language finally clicked for me. University might be able to teach you how to undertake a political debate or discuss climate change in your chosen language, but no number of seminars can compare to making small talk at the bus stop, gossiping with friends, or even just eavesdropping on the train in your target language. By the time I left, I had a level of fluency that finally felt natural rather than forced.
Then, of course, there was the travel. Being based in a new country meant that weekend trips to nearby cities or even different countries were easier and often cheaper than they’d be from the UK. It was a massive privilege to be able to afford to do this, it felt like the gap year I never had.
The lows: the challenges no one talks about
But while Instagram might make studying abroad look like the perfect year-long holiday, the reality isn’t always so picture-perfect. The first two weeks were some of the hardest, everything just felt so frustratingly difficult. Simple tasks you would never think twice about at home, like paying at the supermarket, suddenly became the most nerve-wracking ordeal in the world.
Homesickness hit me much harder than I expected. I missed the little things – Sunday roasts, familiar accents, even the weirdly specific Bristol Uni in-jokes. While I made great friends abroad, it sometimes felt isolating to be so far from my usual support system. Thankfully, this can be remedied with regular calls to home and even looking into the uni’s support programmes.
Academically, the adjustment was also tougher than most had anticipated. Whilst I cannot comment on the experience of studying abroad as I did an internship, many of my friends realised different university systems meant different expectations, grading styles, and sometimes even language barriers when it came to coursework and groupwork. As someone who worked, it’s hard enough to talk to your boss in your native language, let alone in your second one.
Financially, studying abroad can also be a major strain. Even with grants and loans, the cost of flights, visas, and a generally higher cost of living in some countries added up quickly, especially since Brexit meant the end of the Erasmus funding. Thanks Brexit. It’s also incredibly difficult at times to find guidance on visas or travel advice, I’m sure if you ask anyone who’s done a year abroad about this, you’ll be met with a groan and an eyeroll.
And then there was the return home – something no one really warns you about. Reverse culture shock is real. After spending a year adapting to a new way of life, coming back to Bristol felt both comforting and strangely disorienting. Friends had moved on, the city felt different, and I found myself longing for the independence and adventure I had just left behind.
So, was it worth it?
Despite the challenges, I wouldn’t trade my year abroad for anything. The growth, experiences, and memories made it one of the most rewarding parts of my university life. However, it’s not for everyone. If you’re considering studying abroad, it’s worth thinking beyond the highlight reel; there will be difficult moments, and it requires resilience and adaptability. But if you’re willing to embrace both the highs and the lows, it can be an experience that shapes you in ways you never expected.
I think, speaking on behalf of most students who have done a year abroad, it will be one of the toughest things you’ll ever do, but also the most rewarding. In fact, if you need extra reassurance, according to a recent poll uploaded to Epigram’s Instagram story, 86% of responders said that they thought their year abroad was worth it.
Would I do it all over again? Absolutely. But I’d go into it knowing that studying abroad isn’t just about the adventure, it’s about learning to navigate life in an entirely new way.
