When it came time for me to study abroad, I originally had plans to travel to Australia and study on the Gold Coast, but due to COVID, the program was canceled and I was forced to re-evaluate my options. As a substitute, I chose USAC’s study abroad program in Växjö, Sweden because it included the longest length abroad for the cheapest price. I did not do much research on Sweden or the town I was going to be living in but I was excited to step into unknown territory. I did not even think about the fact that I would be living in Europe where every country in the EU is as accessible as states in the United States, which really shaped my experience abroad.
Upon arrival in my new little hometown, I was surprised with how tiny it was which made me a bit nervous about how the next six months were going to go. To my relief, the building I lived in was filled with students from all over the world where everyone was in the same situation as me. I made friends quickly and from these friends, I have learned more life lessons and perspectives of the world than I ever could in Chattanooga, Tennessee. Another component I was concerned about was the Swedish education system. They divide the semester into four periods in which you are only supposed to take one course per period, but, to stay in line with my credits back home, I signed up for two to three courses per period. After attending some classes at the university, I soon came to realize that Swedes value mental sustainability and do not overwork their students (hence the one course per period), but coming from the United States, it was very easy to stay on task, so much so that it allowed me to travel once or twice a month for the whole six month program while still maintaining my grades. I have visited fifteen countries since January and my travels are continuing as I am backpacking through Europe this summer. I did not come to Sweden with much money and thought I would reach $0 much more quickly, and although I have a running countdown until that happens, I am still able to make traveling happen. A major takeaway I had from this experience is how little funding you truly need to see the world.
I could not be more grateful for everything I have seen and all the people I have met. I now can confidently say I have at least one good friend from every country that would be happy to see me again at a later date. I have places to stay all over the world and all those people have a home with me as well. At the beginning of my travels, I decided to make a “People I’ve Met” list and it brings a smile to my face to see how much that list has expanded. One quote from a lovely human I met is, “everything in life is bullshit, except the people.” This statement has proven more and more true the more I have traveled. It really is not the places you go, but the people you meet and the interactions you have which define the experience and create memories that go along with it. So, thank you to everyone I have come across in Europe and thank you to all who have made this dream possible for me from the States. I am in love with life and in love with living it to the very fullest. I hope I can be an inspiration for others.
Tree Mcever (BS Environmental Science Engineering) spent Spring 2022 studying abroad in Växjö, Sweden through USAC. Tree had the following to say about studying abroad, “Just go for it. Jump into unknown territory and allow the world to catch you because I guarantee it will. There is so much to see, so much to experience, and so many people to meet. You have the power to live; this is your sign to do it.”
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