Submitted by Jake Kalinowski the 2024 Spring program in Sydney, Australia…
Something I have learned very quickly while studying abroad is how important it is to maintain your mental health. It can be easy to get caught up in all of the wonderful things abroad, but it can also become overwhelming at times. There are classes to prepare for, essays to write, places to visit, etc. Journaling has been one of the best things I could do for my mental health while abroad in Australia.
Journaling is easy to do. It is also extremely creative. You can write as little or as much as you would like. You can write every day. You can write once a week. Whatever works for you or whenever you are feeling like writing.
It also creates a great travelog for yourself so you can look back and reflect on how you were feeling abroad, the places you saw, the people you met, and the food you tried. It creates a personable and real experience for yourself.
If I’m ever feeling overwhelmed, journaling is definitely something I do to help put myself at ease. It relaxes me and helps me to not be as hard on myself and realize all the magical things that are happening around me. Journaling helps me to remain more present, which is a skill that is super important to have while traveling and studying abroad. (Submitted on February 21, 2024)