“Which is more important? The journey or the destination?”
“The company.”
Ever since I was a child, I had always dreamed of studying abroad. I was always fascinated by people who went overseas for their studies. Unfortunately, I never had the opportunity to experience that due to my lack of resources and knowledge. It was not until the third year of college that I finally went abroad for the first time in my life.
I applied for an international scholarship program, and long story short, it was the best decision I had ever made. I went to Vytautas Magnus University in Lithuania, a beautiful country that not many people know about, at least in my place. Leaving my home in Indonesia, I stepped into a new world that brought new perspectives, values, and stories.
During my four-month study abroad, I learned a lot of valuable lessons that I would not have learned anywhere else.
One of the most beautiful parts of my experience was the community I found. Despite being in a whole new environment with new people, I quickly built a sense of community. I met people from all over the world—each with their own unique backgrounds, cultures, and stories. Regardless of our differences, we shared countless moments of laughter, deep conversations, and simple yet memorable everyday activities. It was not only the happy moments that brought us together, but it was also the bad times where we had to be there for each other that built our trust and connection. Because of this, I realized that what mattered the most was not the destination or the journey, but the company.
Being in a new country also meant stepping out of my comfort zone and putting myself out there. Whether it was navigating unfamiliar places, facing academic challenges, overcoming fears, or making new friends, I often felt vulnerable. At times, I found myself doubting my choices—if I was doing the right thing, or if everything was going to be okay. Through that vulnerability, however, I started to embrace the discomfort and open up to the people around me. When I got lost in a foreign city, I learned to ask for help. When I struggled in class, I learned to seek support from my friends and professors. When I struggled to find my way, I learned to let my guard down and lean on others. Beyond that, I created stronger bonds with my friends, which finally resulted in me trusting myself—to trust the process, to be vulnerable, and to be okay with not being okay.
All of these moments shaped who I am today—a person who is braver, kinder, and more ready to face the world. Now, as a future educator, I am dedicated to sharing what I have learned to others, especially those who may feel that studying abroad is out of reach, just as I once did.
As I reflect upon my journey, I see my experience as a puzzle, with every person I met, every lesson I learned, and every challenge I faced contributing a piece to the bigger picture. Although the puzzle has not been completed yet, everything is starting to make sense, bit by bit. And I have come to realize that my studying abroad opportunity was not just about academics or merely seeing the outside world. It was about discovering myself, embracing blessings and challenges, appreciating life, and understanding the world around me in ways I never had before. It was a chapter of my life that I will always cherish, and one that will help me find the remaining puzzle pieces and shape the bigger picture for years to come.
