I remember logging into the virtual info session for NYU Abu Dhabi as a senior in high school. I had a document with all the universities I wanted to apply to, noting down the pitches their admissions teams would give. For NYUAD, I remember rushing to write down everything they said about study away - so many sites, so many options. I thought to myself, I must make the most out of this.

Fast forward to the end of my first year, I was sitting in a hotel room in Ghana during my J-term crafting my study away application for sophomore spring. I could do two semesters abroad, so I felt like I had to. However, as my peers were feeling excited to hear back and make plans, I found myself feeling so anxious, almost hoping my application would get rejected. Frankly, I did not feel ready to leave the comfort of Abu Dhabi.

I did not feel ready to go through the mental load of moving again, being in a big city on my own, having to make new friends yet again, and being so far from home. As I was going back and forth between wanting to go and feeling like I was not ready, I ultimately decided to stay. I guess, my purpose in writing this is to be there for those who might feel the same.

Even though most of my close friends did go away this semester and had a wonderful time, so did I by staying in Abu Dhabi. Exiting your comfort zone is an amazing opportunity to grow, but it is not the only way to grow. If you think you need to feel secure and comfortable to thrive, choosing comfort is okay.

Now that my canceled study away semester is over, I can tell you it was the best decision I could have made. I met new friends, engaged in more campus initiatives, spent a lot of time around the city, and took on meaningful projects that brought me so much closer to my goals and dreams.

The notion of ‘making the most of your experience’ is not standardized - there is no universal ‘most’ that you have to pursue. Choosing not to use every single opportunity that is offered does not mean you are missing out on the experience. It means your personal journey, experience, and priorities are simply different.

All I have to tell you is - it’s okay! It’s okay to feel you need to stay, it’s okay to feel like you're not ready and it is completely okay to prioritize your needs.

Studying away can be great character development for a lot of members of this community, but it is definitely not the only way to grow. If you ever find yourself struggling to decide on studying away and are leaning towards not going, I hope this short text manages to provide you with some comfort. And if you do decide to go, I wish you an amazing semester ahead!