If I had to choose one piece of advice to share with those preparing to study abroad, I wouldn’t have to give it a second thought: keep a journal. Here are just some of the reasons why:
- It helps you capture the memories.
If I have heard it once, I have heard it a million times: “My semester abroad was one of the most memorable times of my life.” I 100% agree with that statement; however, do not be fooled into thinking that you will automatically remember every detail. My semester in Europe overwhelmed my senses. I saw breath-taking views, tasted new flavors, listened to new music; almost everything was new. My journal was my way of recording these new experiences, along with my own emotions and feelings, all in one place. I have been back in the United States for two years now, and I can say from experience that you will forget things. I often read my journal, and the words I wrote spark a stream of memories. Furthermore, when you attach a date to the entry, you create a timeline for your time abroad. By flipping through my journal, I can tell you where I was on any given day, and relive it whenever I feel the urge.
- It enables you to process the experience.
Living in a foreign country can be confusing at times, but sitting down and taking the time to write about your experience will help you process what is going on and how you feel. Thoughts run wild through our brains during every waking moment, but writing them down forces us to piece them together. In order to translate your ideas into writing, you have to work with them. You form sentences, insert punctuation, and search for the right word. The writing in your journal does not have to be perfect. Trust me, mine shows evidence of the writing process in all its confusion, but the process creates a valuable product.
- You can store more than words.
The most eclectic travel journals do not limit their contents to words. The pages of your journal are the perfect place to store your entry tickets, bus passes, metro cards, photographs, stamps, postcards, or anything. One of my friends used paper clips to attach these mementos among the pages of her journal. I will soon be copying her idea, updating my own journal with these additions.
- A journal is not a blog.
I do not think I can stress this point enough. Many people create blogs to document their experiences abroad. I would never discourage one from keeping a blog; I had one during my semester in Spain. A blog is a medium through which you can communicate your thoughts and reflections to a large number of people. Friends, family, and even complete strangers have access to your blog. Writing to such a large audience can and will tempt you to alter and censor your thoughts, emotions, and stories. Use your blog to share updates with those you love, and make your journal much more personal.
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More than two years after I returned to American soil, I can say that my journal is the most valuable possession that I brought back with me. It enables me to relive the moments, feel the emotions, and hear the sounds. For those of you who are doubting your writing ability, put this anxiety behind you. Your journal should not be your attempt to win a Pulitzer Prize. It captures the raw experiences, which do not always flow smoothly into artistic prose. Its imperfections make it realistic. Ernest Hemingway, an infamous American author, explains the power of writing by saying, “There is nothing to writing. All you do is sit down at a typewriter and bleed.”
When you decide to break free from your comfort zone and experience life like never before, the first thing you pack should be a pen and some paper. I can’t imagine life abroad without it.
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Have experience keeping a journal while abroad? Let us know how keeping a journal impacted your travels abroad in the comments below.
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