Since middle school, I had imagined myself studying abroad. I explored opportunities in the UK, the US, Canada, and Europe, but somehow, I never actually took that step. I prepared in every way I could—improving my language skills, expanding my knowledge, and even stepping beyond familiar sources of information to learn more about the world outside. I thought I was ready.
After finishing my undergraduate degree, I finally got the chance to pursue a master’s degree in Europe. I received two offers in the same broad field of business: one was more research-oriented, while the other focused more on social interaction and networking. I chose the latter, thinking I was ready.
But when I first set foot on this foreign land, surrounded by unfamiliar faces and breathing air that no longer felt quite so familiar, I began to realize that no one can ever be truly prepared.
Everything takes time and personal experience. At every new stage and in every new environment, no matter how thoroughly you think you have prepared, you still need time to adjust. How long that adjustment takes depends on how much preparation you have done—and on the people you meet in your new environment, as well as the guidance they offer you.