Hi, I’m Ally Buzzanga, a 25 year old postgraduate who’s passionate about cultural shock, urban environments, and fish & chips. I spent the fall of 2012 studying abroad in London and decided then that living and traveling abroad was something that I was passionate about. Study abroad programs are getting more and more popular in the US and that’s great. I’d love to see American culture fully embrace the “gap year” and “gone travelling” attitude that my foreign friends so casually mentioned. So many young people take the time to go on months-long journeys that are pretty much a rite of passage in their society. In the past 4 years, I’ve been able to see parts of the world I never even considered, from Europe to Africa and many a sheep-riddled village in the UK. I attribute so many of my skills and successes to my years spent outside of the US.

What motivated your decision to go abroad? How/why did you choose where to go?
I’ve studied abroad twice, and both times in the same place. The first time I was in college in Philadelphia and can’t quite put my finger on what “motivated” me to go. I wouldn’t say I was well traveled before college, but for some reason I always knew and expected that I would study abroad. Luckily, my parents were also always supportive of this idea and encouraged me to apply. 

How did I wind up in London, England? Against my wishes, actually. I was a Communication Studies major during my undergrad and my school specifically ran a program in London for that BA. I wanted to go to Italy, or to Paris--anywhere where I didn’t speak the language, had tons of carb based food, and could feel “culture shocked.” I was not looking forward to rain, and tea-fueled english speakers. This forced “choice” ended up exceeding my expectations to the point where I decided to come back for 18 months and allowed me to visit all the cities I had dreamed of.

What was your experience like? What is your favorite memory? What were some challenges you observed?
My experience in 2012 was nothing less than a highlight reel of British culture. I lived in beautiful, posh west London, interned at a nightclub in trendy Mayfair, and took a class which took me to more than 10 plays, both small and large productions, all over the city. I traveled to Barcelona, Paris, Berlin, Amsterdam, Rome, Florence, and Capri (mostly on my own). The biggest challenge I faced was losing my grandmother early on in the trip. Luckily I was able to travel home for the services, but flying back to London afterwards I felt a sense of guilt that no study abroad advisor could prepare you for.

Fast forward to 2014 when I set off on my journey to Graduate School in London and the differences between my two journeys became very apparent. In 2012 I was in a bubble, an extension of my American University in a foreign city. I lived in an area where most young people could never dream of affording and I attended classes with fellow Americans. 2014 I was in an English University, in a highly international Masters program. My program was called Cultural and Creative Industries and I quickly realised that I missed a lot of authentic culture during my first trip. Now I was living with English roommates, in an area of the city that I could afford (hint: it was not posh). I had many more struggles this time around, I was concerned about money, I had numerous issues with housing to the point where I was forced to move 4 times during my year and a half Masters. Something that was so irritating but at the same time I’ve experienced living in so many different neighborhoods in London, each unique and unlike the one before.

While my most recent experience was much less glamorous, it was authentic. That authenticity can be hard to come by if you let yourself be too swept up by your abroad program. Venture out on your own, it’s more difficult but challenging yourself to get an unfiltered experience is by far the most valuable aspect of living abroad.

What skills did you develop from your experience? Do you feel changed from your experience abroad? 
The list of skills one takes away from an abroad experience is endless and I truly believe that. To narrow it down to my most useful ones, I’d say independence and perspective. Navigating through life as a young adult, especially in college, you may feel truly independent. Yeah, you don’t live with mom and dad (or maybe you do?) but they are a car ride, a phone call, or a conversation away. You may not ask them for help or rely on them, but you know you probably can. I felt very independent at 22, but when I was a country and a time zone away I felt completely reliant on myself. What do you do when you have a crazy landlord who evicts you on a Wednesday night? How about when you get on the wrong train in Germany and are trying to navigate yourself to Berlin when no one speaks English and you don’t know a single word of German? There’s not a “right” answer to either of those questions, but the bottom line is you figure it out. You do what you have to do and you’ll come out on top, trust me. 

Perspective is what you get when you realise you’re not the center of the universe, your country isn’t, your belief system isn’t and that’s ok. As an American, I had so much to learn from people I met in travels. I’m not sure many people realise the view that other cultures have on our country and its people. The good, the bad, the ugly - I’ve heard it all. I think to be a well rounded person, you should be able to listen and to some point understand, where all these different people and perspectives come from. Regardless of whether you agree with them or not, it’s powerful to acknowledge cultural differences which ultimately helps us find commonground and mutual respect.

Has your experience helped you get to where you are today?
Everything I’ve done has led me up to this very moment. Study abroad influenced me to get a Master’s degree overseas, which led me to desire to work in the study abroad or international education sector. It has created deep and meaningful relationships, I have a network in London, as well as friends from all over the world. If not for study abroad, I wouldn’t have the courage to plan excursions to countries alone, I wouldn’t be enticed to experience cultures that so drastically differ from mine. It has also made me more aware of the need to be a global citizen, to understand and collaborate as a whole, to better the place we all call home.

What advice would you share with other students who are thinking of going abroad? 
Money is a big component when planning an experience abroad. My biggest piece of advice would be to not let it hinder you. Buckle down and save up. The money will not go to waste investing in your future, never had I heard of anyone saying their study abroad cost was a “waste.” I was living in London, which is one of the most expensive cities in the world, and you know what? Everyone’s in the same boat. Most of my friends were living paycheck to paycheck; free exhibits, happy hours, uberPOOL are all your best friend. There are so many websites and apps now that cater specifically to free events and good deals going on in cities. We’re all broke. Figure out a way to make your trip happen, create a budget and trust me, you’ll make it work. We all do.

How has international education impacted or influenced your cultural identity? 
During my last year and a half in London, my cultural identity came up a lot. As Americans, we define ourselves through our ancestors because our history is so fresh. My English friends had trouble wrapping their heads around the fact that I identified as “Italian.” 
“Italian? Were your parents born there? No? Well, you’re American then.”
I’d stress the importance of tradition in my family, although i’m 4th or 5th generation “Italian,” all of our holidays have traditional Italian food, we have pasta twice a week, etc. It was interesting to hear their perspective on it, even if they thought holding on to my Italian ancestry was silly. I think it was difficult for a while for me to feel proud of my “American” identity when it’s a culture that has many polarizing opinions and a history that is dwarfed in comparison to the long histories of Europe. I’m now in a place where I don’t cringe when a friend says “Ally, you sound so American”... I believe cultural identity is what you make of it. You don’t choose where you were born and raised. I saw myself as Italian when my friends saw me as American - who’s right and who’s wrong? Does it matter? I’ve taken so much from each and every person i’ve gotten the chance to meet in my travels, different cultures all have their pros and cons and I’d like to believe you can take a bit from every single one. 

#StudyAbroadBecause the world is your classroom

All photos courtesy and copyright Ally Buzzanga