Written by: Jessie Gross | Fall 2024
IFSA Tech Career Accelerator – Prague, Czech Republic
Throughout a study abroad experience, it’s common to experience the following emotions:
- Excitement through exploring a new culture and making friends
- Homesickness for the familiar routines, people, and foods
- Independence built through self-sufficiency
- Overwhelm by navigating a different culture and language
- Accomplishment by meeting challenges that arise
- Sadness and nostalgia for the lifestyle built abroad when returning to home 
Some “lower” feelings can have side effects, like loneliness and a lack of motivation. When I traveled alone or had a set routine, a strong sense of independence made it hard to connect with my family and friends at home.
When dealing with these emotions, I’d simply take a walk. Aside from the health benefits
walking actually provides (physical activity releases endorphins and neurotransmitters in the brain that improve mood and reduce stress), walking gets you out. When I was excited about my home city, I would walk to new areas before doing any research. This exploring is so much more organic and fun.
On days when I felt unmotivated in schoolwork and exploration, I would jump on the bus,
ride a few stops until I was in an unfamiliar neighborhood, and walk around. Sometimes I would make a game out of it – walk until I found a bar with my favorite beer or a café serving a pain au chocolat.
Taking a walk always cured my loneliness. When experiencing homesickness, I would walk around my neighborhood, find something that reminded me of someone at home, snap a picture, and send it to them. This would instantly make me feel less alone in a new culture and allow me to connect my home life with my abroad life, two things that sometimes felt impossible to intersect.
Studying abroad brings a whirlwind of emotions, and taking a walk helps mitigate these emotions and builds a deeper connection with your surroundings, allowing you to create memories and gain perspective. Every emotion is part of the journey, and with self-care, the experience becomes even richer. 