This summer I spent three weeks in the UK visiting London, Oxford, and the Lake District. With getting to experience life in the city of London, academic inspiration walking through the halls of Oxford, and stunning views in the famous Lakes mountains, an important aspect of our program was centered around how places can become part of us and the importance of narratives. All the way up until our plane touched down on the tarmac in London, I thought it was highly unrealistic to think that profound realizations and lessons could be learned in a mere three weeks. I went into my study abroad thinking that I would come back to gain strict academic knowledge and appreciation of culture, architecture, and historical artifacts. Our itinerary, however, encompassed more than just visiting and taking pictures of famous landmarks and impressive architecture. It was critically reflected on the history that went into those places and what has occurred since. It was investigating questions about the legitimacy of the legacy being told- and how to rectify the contributions that have been left out from society's collective memory.

If you're feeling unsure about how well you'd navigate a foreign place, how you'll get along with your traveling group, or if you'll come back with a new appreciation for life, take it from me- now is truly the best time to give yourself the chance to experience important shifts that might help guide your academic passions. I had never previously traveled. I had never even seen an airport and while you might imagine that this would make me prone to struggling while away from home, you don't need to have travel experience in order to thoroughly enjoy and thrive abroad. You are in a group with professors who've done this before and make great guides, organized by a highly reputable university with an established study abroad program. Where else are you ever going to have this plethora of support?

In such a short period of time, I'm proud to say I grew emotionally and professionally. As a psychology major, it is not lost on me that navigating new environments is an inevitable life stressor that can have serious impacts on one's well-being. Taking a double-decker bus ride in London and walking down the cobblestone sidewalks in Oxford, I realized that I see productivity levels and business as a key determining factor in my perception of self-worth and success. Since spending a week in the Lake District surrounded by mountains and locals at the pub, I have started appreciating how satisfaction can be derived from many different sources. I'm now a firm believer that there are some realizations and moments of self-discovery that cannot be forced or replicated. Going abroad is such a unique situation that it provides so many opportunities to genuinely connect with groupmates and make unexpected memories, no matter the duration or destination.

• Name: Megan Riley
• Status: Junior
• Major: Psychology
• Hometown: Waterford, Michigan
• Program: Social Science Scholars Field Study Abroad