Family of Sites 
Studying by itself can be challenging, which puts studying in a foreign country in a whole different level of difficulty. This past summer has been one of the most formative and informational experiences that I have ever had; but it may not have ended that way unless I took the advice from my professor before I left America. I can’t stress the importance of taking advantage of every minute, even if that means pushing yourself to live outside of your comfort zone.
I decided to test this theory by taking a solo trip to a completely new, more rural town at the end of the program. I found myself completely responsible for myself, my finances, and my communication, as I no longer has the support of my fellow students to fall back on. I was so nervous at first. I thought I would miss a train, or a bus, and end up stranded somewhere with no service or map to find my way home.
But funnily enough, I actually found myself feeling more confident in my language skills than ever before simply because I lacked resources to help me. I talked with the workers at the bus station with no problem, and even shot the breeze with storeowners in the sleepy town. In major cities, most people know at least a little bit of English, so it is possible to fall back on that crutch if need be. But the cities that I visited were a bit different. The only time I heard my native language that day was when I met a girl my age who was studying English. I truly believe that my communication skills became stronger because I was by myself, and had no choice but to acclimate to the non-English speaking village.
I believe that it is important to break away from the group every now and then, and spend a day relying solely on yourself. This isn’t meant to sound insensitive, but when you’re given the opportunity to study in a foreign country for a finite amount of time, you can’t waste time waiting up for people. If you want to do something, but others don’t share the same interest, don’t get discouraged! Go out and do it by yourself! There is absolutely no shame in spending time alone. In fact, I think exploring new places by yourself is crucial to achieving the maximum amount of personal development because you are left alone with your thoughts for a while, which fosters your ability to appreciate your surroundings without being influenced by anyone’s opinions but yours.
My final point through this scatter-brained piece of advice is that you really need to make the very most of your time abroad. Live each day avoiding every possibility of having regrets on the plane ride home–regrets about not seeing a certain museum that you meant to visit, or regretting not trying harder to branch out and meet new people. Use this as motivation to make bucket lists and stick to them. Do one thing everyday that you can look back on as a significant memory of your time studying abroad. And most importantly, be independent. It may be scary, but living for yourself will give you the mental capability to do exactly what you want to do, and leave no experience unexplored.
You’ll Also Love
9 Reasons To Visit Batumi, Georgia
When the world first came into existence, the Creator had a big meeting where he divided up the Earth and gave different pieces of land to all the people of the world. As luck would have it, the Georgian people were having a supra (a grand feast) the same day, had a little too much […]
Hiking the Caucasus
Summer of 2023 – a summer I spent as a solo female budget backpacker traversing across the three Caucasus republics of Azerbaijan, Georgia, and Armenia. My trip focused on hiking and meeting locals in these three very different countries. It was arguably the most ambitious and most rewarding undertaking of my life so far, and […]
Traveling the Caucasus with SRAS’ ICON Program: The Value of Educational Travel
One of the most exciting aspects of SRAS’s Identity and Conflict in the Post-Soviet Space program is the opportunity to travel to Armenia and Azerbaijan while you are based with your program in Georgia. The opportunity to see all three of the countries of the South Caucasus clarifies the diverse circumstances and attitudes in not […]
Day Trips from Bishkek
Kyrgyzstan is a small country that abounds in natural beauty – many great locations are just a short drive away and can be experienced on a surprisingly small budget. Here are several that students on our study abroad programs in Bishkek recommend! Issyk-Ata Hot Pools 1 Hour Outside Bishkek; ~$20 budget Review by Mikaela Peters […]
Hiking in Georgia
Over the summer of 2023, I made a 3-month backpacking journey hiking across the Caucasus, spending time in all three Caucasus countries. This article is on Georgia and breaks down my time in the country region by region. If you are interested in the other parts of my trip, you can check out my intro […]
Travel to Georgia from Bishkek
Travel to Georgia from Bishkek ~$400 for a 6-day trip I am currently a student in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan but I love traveling in general. Therefore, when my friend studying in Moscow asked me if I’d be interested in taking a trip to Georgia to meet up, I obviously said “Yes.” I planned out a six-day […]
Five Great Day Trips from Riga, Latvia: Hiking, Castles, Caves, and More
Latvia is small country with a long history. Just outside the Riga lie a number of great sites to see – from sandy beaches to medieval castles and from majestic national parks to places literally straight out of fairy tales. See below for a small selection to get you started! Cesis: A Medieval Town […]
Garni Temple & Geghard Monastery: Day Trip from Yerevan
This itinerary will take you from Yerevan to Garni Temple, Geghard Monastery, and Symphony of Stones. You can take a car the full way or combine hiring a driver with a moderately challenging hike of 3-4 hours. Logistics for Garni Temple – Symphony of Stones – Geghard Monastery The furthest of these sites is only […]
Weekend Trips from Bishkek
Kyrgyzstan is a small country that abounds in natural beauty – many great locations are just a short drive away and can be experienced on a surprisingly small budget. Many of these independent student experiences were arranged through a company called Community Based Tourism, which seeks to use local guides and local resources to make […]
