Studying abroad is usually considered a life-changing experience, and this description could not be any more accurate. When I joined San Francisco State University for my exchange semester, I entered a phase of my personal life in which I noticed my way of thinking and understanding of how the world works had completely reshaped. I think the value of studying abroad extends far beyond classroom learning, as a lot of it lies in the day-to-day adaptation to unfamiliar and new environments and developing a strong sense of confidence and independence that really builds and shapes your personality and who you are as a person.
One of the benefits is the academic enrichment and experience of a different education system from the one I studied in the Netherlands. Lectures were way smaller and limited to a small classroom of 40 students. With more weekly assignments and course engagement, rather than the Dutch method of monthly examinations. Another great resource was the opportunity to attend guest lecture seminars by amazing industry professionals such as Chris Larsen (Ripple Co-founder) & Laxman Narsimhan (ex-CEO Starbucks, Reckitt). There is so much to learn just by being present in these rooms and hearing these professionals talk. And of course, the opportunity to pick their brain and ask questions.
To my surprise, San Francisco has been one of the most diverse cities I have lived in yet. You will see and meet people from all corners of the world on a daily basis. This exposes you to an experience where no two days feel the same. Every conversation you have will give you a new cultural insight. Every person you talk to has their own story, which is always interesting to hear. It really opens up your mind and the way you think. You start looking at the same idea from different and newer perspectives, trying to understand how other people may look and perceive things. It also teaches you tolerance and empathy. I quickly learned how interconnected the world is. It transforms students into global citizens. You start understanding the real-life applications and impacts of economic inequality, digital transformations and social structures.
Leaving home, 13,000 km away or 8100 miles for locals, is a big ordeal. The independence that comes from living alone really shapes your personality in powerful ways. I still remember my first couple of weeks in San Francisco, navigating the horrendous public transport and being afraid to walk home at night because of the lack of streetlights and walkways. It was surely overwhelming, but you only learn and grow by being out of your comfort zone. Living in San Francisco for two months now has definitely taught me survival skills. It's unbelievable how unsafe the city is, with shootings and a lot of homeless people who inject drugs into themselves and get violent with passersby. I myself have already been punched in the arm as I was walking on the streets in downtown San Francisco. It's moments like these where your inner nature and mental strength come into play. These daily tasks of navigating without getting harmed turn into opportunities for learning and growth. Each day you reach home without an incident, you feel more capable and confident. You definitely also learn to handle emotional resilience and overcome homesickness.
The study exchange programme also gives you a competitive edge in your future professional career. Employers put a high value on the cultural experiences that arise from a study exchange. It helps employers see that you are capable of adapting to internationally diverse environments and handling uncertainty. The network of friends you have abroad helps in opening doors for you that you wouldn't be able to open otherwise. These can, of course, later blossom into job opportunities. This city is definitely unique and has something special. The density of smart people in San Francisco is like nowhere else. Every conversation you have turns into something intellectual and a good learning opportunity. It definitely helps you think entrepreneurially. And you never know, maybe this could be the next $100 billion idea! These experiences are a super steep learning curve.
I think the best way you can make the most of your study exchange experience is to just step out of your comfort zone. There are many ways to do this, obviously, but some suggestions are to spend as much time outdoors as possible. Just be home to sleep. This way you maximize your exposure to the elements of the city. You can interact with people, try local food, and just learn by failing and exploring. At the same time, you undoubtedly need to be able to manage your time effectively and not be behind with academic work. It's very easy to treat study exchange as an extended vacation, especially if you have really easy courses. But if this is the case, try to do extracurricular activities, these could be academic, like taking online AI courses, or non-academic, like swimming classes.
Study abroad is about stepping into a broad world where every day is a learning journey and comes with unexpected challenges that will soon shape the person you become.