Sitemap
ILLUMINATION’S MIRROR

Twin of ILLUMINATION to scale out and support more writers. Inquiries: https://digitalmehmet.com/ Subscribe to our content marketing strategy newsletter: https://drmehmetyildiz.substack.com/

Follow publication

Lessons From My First Year Abroad: Part 2

--

While pursuing my studies was the primary reason for leaving home, I soon discovered that there is so much more to this experience than textbooks and exams. It was a transformative experience that exposed me to a brand-new perspective and changed my entire lifestyle. If you haven’t already, do check out my previous post.

Part 2: Lifestyle

Here is a brief collection of thoughts and ideas that I have come to realize over the past year.

1. Compromise and Care:

Coming from a nuclear family, the transition to living with five other roommates was a significant change for me. It wasn’t easy for me to trust others with my belongings. But something wonderful happened along the way — I learned the power of compromise and adjustment.

Sharing a living space with five other individuals requires a great deal of cooperation and willingness to find common ground. Conflicts are inevitable, but it’s crucial to handle them with grace and open communication. Everyone has a unique perspective and is right according to their point of view, and hence the debates only aggravate if not handled carefully. Through frequent and healthy discussions, we were able to resolve conflicts and maintain a comforting environment.

However, compromise has a really positive side- care and comfort. Even small acts of compromise strengthen our relationships. Whether it’s saving a delicious meal to ensure everyone gets a taste or waking up early to cook for a roommate, these small gestures of care and consideration have fostered a sense of unity and mutual support.

To anyone who is considering or currently living with roommates, I can’t stress enough the importance of cultivating positive relationships. Maintaining good rapport and respecting one another’s needs is the key to a successful and enjoyable shared living as well as a working experience.

Random Times Square Sketch

2. Sacrifice and Growth

Leaving the familiar behind and venturing into the unknown can be extremely daunting and intimidating. And hence, it’s extremely important to create a sense of family wherever we go, with the connections available to us. Surrounding ourselves with like-minded individuals who share our passions and values can make all the difference in navigating through challenging times.

Distance from family and friends can be challenging, but it presents us with the chance to develop independence and resilience. It’s an opportunity to discover our true capabilities and learn to rely on ourselves. It seemed difficult at first, but with time, I discovered that it helped me gain a lot more skills than I would have if I had never left home.

Change is an inevitable part of life and is bound to happen someday or the other. “If not now, when?” was a question that I asked myself to make my decision-making process faster. This question also served as a reminder that the perfect moment may never arrive, and if I keep on waiting for the “right” time, I may miss out on incredible opportunities.

Another Random Sketch

3. Fear and Confidence

At first, the idea of exploring new places, meeting new people, and immersing myself in a completely different culture was intimidating. I found myself hesitating, and missing out on many experiences.

But gradually, I began drawing inspiration from a few of my friends who had been in similar situations and managed to adapt swiftly to their new environment. They roamed around freely, made a ton of friends, and used to be constantly having some or the other plans. It was through their example that I realized that confidence doesn’t magically appear overnight. It’s something we have to earn by facing our fears and taking risks. So, I decided to challenge myself. One effective way I discovered to break free was by saying “yes” to any opportunity coming my way. Joining friends in all the different plans was also a really good starter. I know that this is a slow change, but I’m happy to have started taking some steps in that direction.

One will definitely gain an adequate amount of confidence after a considerable amount of time. But, delaying the pursuit of confidence only prolongs our own growth and limits the amazing experiences we can have. Moreover, getting involved in difficult situations is much better than staying in one's own shell. At least we learn to handle the problem and get ready for any similar problems in the future.

It has been a great first year, and can’t wait to get another year of such learning experiences. The fun I had with my friends will be something that I will never forget. Do check out my other posts!

--

--

ILLUMINATION’S MIRROR
ILLUMINATION’S MIRROR

Published in ILLUMINATION’S MIRROR

Twin of ILLUMINATION to scale out and support more writers. Inquiries: https://digitalmehmet.com/ Subscribe to our content marketing strategy newsletter: https://drmehmetyildiz.substack.com/

No responses yet