Stop saying no !

Moving almost 4000 miles away for the better part of a year changes your perspective on not just life in general; but your own life specifically, knowing that the power of changing your life lies in your own hands. The famous words: "Insanity is doing the same thing over and over again expecting something to change" always stay with me when I sit there wondering why nothing new is happening for me. It's so easy for us to feel sorry for ourselves when we see our lives in a sorry cycle of work, sleep and repeat. We all want our big break, but that day will never come if we don't make the necessary steps to get there.

Studying abroad was probably the greatest decision I could've made during my time at university, and is something I would recommend anyone that's going to study at uni to do. Simply going with the mindset that you're creating experiences and stories for yourself by embarking on a new journey, is a good enough reason on its own to go. As an adult, travelling becomes a lot more difficult as you're riddled with expenses, responsibilities and just a lack of time. Studying abroad eliminates two of these issues, and arguably even the third (expenses) because there are so many opportunities for grants and bursaries.

Having the opportunity to study abroad is a once in a lifetime opportunity for most people. Only so many are given the chance to get to travel for work, and going away as a student is one of the best times to do so; because not only are you surrounded by a plethora of people, giving you ample opportunity to make new friends and connections, but you have so much support from the university and there are also scholarship and bursary opportunities.

I wanted to see how life would fare for me whilst being in a completely new environment where I didn't know anyone. It was interesting to say the least.

I always knew I wanted to study abroad. For someone who hadn't travelled much prior to studying abroad, I knew it would be the perfect opportunity to see a side to life I've never experienced. No matter how my experience turned out, I knew that it had the chance to transform everything. Who can tell if I will ever get an experience like this again? Letting something like this pass me by, with all the support that's available would've just been foolish.

You become immersed in and explore the local culture, try so many foods, meet so many people - some who end up being lifelong friends - and just learn so much about yourself too.

It's so easy to say no to new ventures where uncertainty lies. Comfort can be our biggest enemy because why would you go and uproot your life when you're perfectly content where you are now? But you miss 100% of the shots you don't take.

Not everything in your life has to be perfectly curated, and I think that need for the perfect temperature has, and continues to hinder a lot of the experiences that we all could've been having. Not applying for that job opportunity that was listed because we feel as though we aren't qualified enough. Or not starting that new creative idea or business venture because you feel as though the market is oversaturated or you don't have enough experience.

More often than not, experiences aren't just handed to you. You have to grab any and every opportunity that comes your way and make something of it. Even if that 'something' ends up just being a story to tell. I'm obviously talking to myself here. Allowing the fear of 'what if' to consume you and prevent you from developing your sense of self just means that you'll never grow while others are passing you by.

Studying abroad let me see five different cities in the USA and one in Mexico, most of which I most likely would've never otherwise been to. Of course it's not a perfect experience, and you'll experience highs and lows, but there were more ups than downs. There's nothing to regret about placing aside your doubts and grievances and just taking the plunge.

All it takes is that one conversation with someone, one day out, one new experience, and your life can transform completely. The next time someone asks you to do something and your automatic response is to say no, say yes.