Written by: Aaric Hager | Fall 2024
BU Exchange Semester in Uppsala, Sweden
If there is one phrase that sums up my time abroad, it’s the cliche term “go with the
flow.” When my friend in the middle of our class asked me to come to Sweden with her, at that moment I thought, “why not,” and now I’m somehow here, living life to the fullest as of the last handful of months. And I truly think that this mindset is one everyone should try to incorporate into their own attitudes if they choose to go abroad as well! At home, I play volleyball, and one of my biggest concerns was how I was going to continue my hobby and fitness. Lucky for me, there is an amazing gym, better than any I’ve found in the US, that has more than served my needs. Through this student gym, I was able to play volleyball up to 4 times a week playing in a competitive tournament league as well as a recreational open court, meet some of my greatest friends 
here, and find a ton more activities to try. This includes rock climbing, futsal, badminton, racketball, etc! I’m so lucky to have randomly chosen to dive into an expensive, yet worthwhile random membership that would honestly change my time while abroad. Furthermore, outside of the gym, I said yes to a bunch of random things! Whether it was to go clubbing with a bunch of classmates I hardly knew, biking what felt like long agonizing miles to a huge lake, or simply walking about and experiencing nature and the beautiful night time city, I was lucky enough to find myself in these amazing experiences just by chance. Along with randomly joining volleyball, these random experiences have also led me to meet new people, make new connections, and create bonds with people
that have become fantastic friends to me. But the biggest thing everyone should be free and open to is their perspectives. While abroad, people have challenged not only my way of life, but my thinking as well. I am constantly pushed out of my comfort zone, urged to create new friendships, try new things, and talk with people hearing and understanding all their different stories. Because of all the international students around me, I’ve had truly remarkable conversations about life that, if you’re willing to open up to, can both be some of the most impactful and fun experiences of your time abroad. I urge you to always open up to new opportunities, and know that experiences will pass by if not seized, and that by sometimes not “going with the flow,” may lead you to miss out on things that will stick with you well past you leave your studies abroad…