As I wrap up my second month at Heriot-Watt University, I’ve started to feel truly comfortable with the lifestyle that studying abroad encourages. Over the past month, I visited London, several cities in Norway, Amsterdam, Fort William, Glasgow and Stirling.

It was disorienting at first to spend so much time in different places, but as the month went on, I began to feel more at home on the road. It has been exciting to experience so many places and cultures, and I feel more confident than ever in my ability to navigate new situations and travel challenges. Studying abroad has allowed me to develop a skill set that might have taken years to build otherwise.

That being said, pursuing an engineering degree while traveling and experiencing new cultures is by no means easy. With a full workload and the pressure of keeping up with my peers, every minute of every day becomes a game of optimization. I’ve found myself writing essays and coding programs while on trains, or catching up on assignments during plane rides. I’m incredibly grateful for the experiences I’m gaining abroad, but it’s certainly not an experience for someone looking for a relaxed vacation. This challenge is further amplified by the different academic system in the UK. Unlike the American education system, much of the learning here relies on self-study and long, project-based assignments. This means you are responsible for motivating yourself and keeping up, with far fewer checkpoints to monitor your understanding. While this structure offers a more flexible schedule, it also demands a strong sense of discipline to avoid falling behind. Navigating this has been a learning experience in developing self-motivation and time management throughout the semester.

Despite the busy schedule and academic differences, the experiences and perspectives I’m gaining in Scotland are ones I’ll carry with me for the rest of my life. If you believe you can handle the challenge, you might be surprised by how much you can grow and accomplish in just two months. For those who are motivated and curious about the world, I cannot recommend studying abroad enough.

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Learn more about this blogger’s study abroad program: Heriot-Watt University