Addie Gray is a second-year student studying Social Anthropology at the University of St Andrews in St Andrews, Scotland. She runs a travel blog at www.addieabroad.com, where she documents her experiences going to university abroad, shares her travel adventures, and gives advice to others who are hoping to study abroad.

What motivated your decision to go abroad? How/why did you choose where to go?
A big motivator behind my decision to go to university abroad was because of the cost. College in America is ridiculously expensive, and going to university in Scotland meant paying about the same as for a state school in the US while getting an Ivy League-level education. It also meant the ability to travel all over Europe on the weekends, a serious plus for a girl who has had wanderlust since the age of five. I chose to go to Scotland because it is absolutely beautiful and super accessible as an English speaker. I also absolutely fell in love with the history and tradition of the University of St Andrews, and knew that there was nowhere else in the world I would be happier.

What was your experience like? What is your favorite memory? What were some challenges you observed?
I'm lucky enough to still be experiencing life as a study abroad student, so I can't promise my favorite memory will be the same a year from now. But right now, one of my favorite things to do is get into arguments with my Scottish flatmate about how to say certain words--and then realizing that we've both started saying those words the way the other one does.

One of the biggest challenges thus far has definitely been adjusting to the grading system and just the way things are generally structured here. In the US, there's a lot more hand-holding when it comes to doing work in college, and you really don't get that in Scotland. But it's also helped me be a lot more independent!

What skills did you develop from your experience? Do you feel changed from your experience abroad?
I would say one of the biggest skills I've developed thus far has been my independence. I've always been someone who leans on others for help and support, but being across an ocean from my family has made that a lot harder. Also, as I mentioned before, there's a lot less hand-holding here, so independence is a skill that I've really had to develop over the last year and a half. 

I definitely feel changed from my experience abroad. Honestly, I feel like a completely different person. I'm so much more confident and optimistic about life because I know I really can do anything if I set my mind to it!

Has your experience helped you get to where you are today? 
I'm still abroad, so I can't really answer this question yet, but I hope that it will in the future!

What advice would you share with other students who are thinking of going abroad?
I think my biggest piece of advice would be that, if you're worried about finances--not just for studying abroad, but for going to college in general--is to consider taking the leap and going to university abroad for the entire four years. I know it sounds crazy, but if you're wanting to study abroad, then this might just be even better--especially because many universities outside of the US (especially in Europe) are far cheaper--or even free!

As far as the experience goes, my advice is to prepare as much as possible... and then realize that you will never actually be completely prepared for what will come when you finally arrive.

How has international education impacted or influenced your cultural identity?
International education has completely changed the way I see myself. Although I am definitely still an American, I also think of Scotland as my home.

#StudyAbroadBecause it will open your world in ways you never thought possible

Find Addie online:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/addieabroad/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/addieabroad

All photos courtesy and copyright Addie Gray