The smell of fresh German hot dogs and French crepes filled the air as Edith R. roamed around the variety of booths making up a Christmas market in London. Shea W. found herself at a Glass Animals concert in Liverpool after navigating the train. Surrounded by waves of blue, red and white, Noelia I. attended an Atlético vs. Barcelona soccer game, cheering on her host country.

This past fall semester and winter break, many students took their studies abroad in countries around the globe. During the fall semester, more than 40 students traveled to 12 countries. Over winter break, there were seven programs running in three countries with more than 50 students.

Now back in the U.S., these students have reflected on everything they have learned from their experiences abroad.

Macy L. studied abroad in Norwich at the University of East Anglia. She said this program helped her grow her confidence and brought her so many incredible memories, like visiting the “Harry Potter” studios in London.

“My time overseas has taught me more about myself and the world than I ever thought possible. I have learned more life lessons in four months than I have in 22 years,” Macy said. “I grew from someone who was too nervous to ask for extra sauce at a restaurant to someone who can travel thousands of miles alone and have strangers become best friends. This experience has flashed by faster than I wanted, and I wish I could restart the clock just to experience it all again.”

Aside from academics, students like Noelia I. are thankful for the opportunity to make so many friends and visit so many cities around Spain. While Noelia lived in Madrid for the fall semester, she took a cooking class to learn how to make paella and did plenty of local souvenir shopping.

“I can easily say this is the best decision I have ever made,” Noelia said. “I went from someone who was an introvert to someone who flew thousands of miles across the world, became independent and met strangers who later became my closest friends. It is impossible to explain how grateful I am for the experience I had during my time abroad, and definitely encourage anyone that has the opportunity or even the thought of doing it to pursue it because it is possible.”

You can read more about these and other students’ experiences on the Study Abroad blog.

Despite challenges due to the COVID-19 Omicron variant, Mizzou Study Abroad is still sending students on their programs. We work closely with the MU Office of International Health, Safety and Security to have plans in place to help ensure the health and safety of Mizzou students abroad.

Mizzou director of study abroad Miguel Ayllon said, “We learned a lot of things this winter break, but we are continuing to build our capacity to run programs in this complex environment. We are getting stronger in our ability to navigate risk and do it well.”

Don’t wait to start planning your adventure abroad! Here’s an easy way to get started:

1. Attend Study Abroad 101.
2. Explore your options in the program search.
3. Make an appointment in MU Connect with your study abroad adviser for any program-specific questions.
4. Apply now! The deadline for many summer 2022 programs is Feb. 15, and spots are filling up.