Submitted by Quinn Kirkpatrick on the 2020 spring semester DIS study abroad program in Copenhagen, Denmark…
If there’s one thing that I’ve learned in Copenhagen, it’s how to be alone. This doesn’t exactly sound like a fabulous study abroad takeaway. It’s not like “learning to use public transportation” or “learning to find the cheapest flights” (though I did learn those things, as well), but I think it’s equally important. In the United States, I have a pretty big support system. If I need a hug, I can get one from one of my lovely friends. If I need emotional suppor,t it’s pretty readily available. If I need company, I can just send a text and someone will be there. One month into my study abroad experience, I’ve spent a lot of time alone, and it’s very strange.
UD is a pretty close-knit community, I can’t go a whole day without seeing one of my friends. Here in Copenhagen, I spend most days entirely by myself. And you know what? It’s not horrible.
Being alone is something that I think everyone needs to get used to. Going into the workforce, we’re not going to be surrounded by our friends and classmates. One day, most of us are probably going to move to a new city on our own. Being able to be alone is a skill, sometimes hard to learn. I didn’t come into this city thinking I’d be alone most of the time. I thought I’d make a lot of friends very quickly, or stick with the people I came here with. I didn’t expect it, but I’m not angry about it. At UD, I’m constantly with other people. If I have a gap between classes, I text to see if someone wants to get lunch with me. If I go to the library, I text to see if someone wants to study with me. I’m almost never alone there.
Here, I go to class alone, go on long walks alone, eat meals alone, etc. It’s totally different from what I was accustomed to. I’ve definitely had some low points with it: feelings of loneliness, self-consciousness, and so on. However, it also has its benefits. I can go around the city and work on my photography skills without worrying that I’m making someone wait up for me. I can eat when I’m hungry, not on someone else’s schedule. I learned to take a pretty great selfie.
So for anyone who wants to go abroad, but are scared to go alone: go for it. You might just learn a new skill.