By Victoria Cruz
News Writer
In the fall semester of 2026, I had the opportunity to study abroad at one of the university’s partner institutions, Tokyo International University.
I learned so much from this experience that it can be hard to limit to 500 words, but I want to share a few lessons that I will carry with me.
Throughout my life, the idea of studying abroad felt unattainable in a lot of ways. Yet this campus has made studying abroad accessible.
There are many scholarship opportunities for students who want to study abroad because being a global citizen benefits the international and local community.
I paid the same tuition I pay to the university, and my aid still applied on top of additional funding I received as a student.
In the end, I spent about the same amount as I would have as a full-time student.
Studying abroad is absolutely a privilege, one I would never take for granted.
But I find that many students are unaware of how many resources exist to make that dream a reality.
Studying abroad has changed everything about the way that I live my life. I remember before I left, I was absolutely terrified.
I had been abroad before, but this was by far the longest I had ever spent away from my support system.
I struggled to find my footing and navigate my loneliness, but every day it got easier.
I found my favorite places, I established routines, and I made a community for myself. I built myself a life from scratch, to the point where many locals knew me as a familiar face.
All of the obstacles I faced forced me to take a look at what I value the most. That level of introspection was difficult to manage, but it made me realize who I am as a person.
Learning what I needed, what I liked and what my core beliefs are helped me to realize who I need to be to live a full life.
Being the strongest and most independent version of myself pushed me to develop myself in ways that are actively making my life better now that I am back on campus.
My openness to the world, experiences and other people has made my life richer.
Sometimes, I wonder if I made the right decision. I missed a lot here at home: birthdays, celebrations, holidays. Those days were always the hardest.
My appreciation for life and my desire to take risks is fueled by the knowledge that I am capable of more than I thought.
I knew the transition to Japan would be hard, but one thing I never anticipated was the culture shock of coming back.
My life here is one that I have always known and cherished. But the person I left as was not the person who came back.
Rediscovering who I am stateside has been an adventure in itself. Studying abroad can provide students with a sense of agency to create meaning in their own life.
I highly encourage anybody who is interested in international opportunities to contact the Office of International Education.
The staff is well equipped to assist any student through the process, including study abroad options and funding.
