Beyond Your Comfort Zone
Studying abroad offers a unique experience to all students. For many, it may be their first time in a new country, and for most, it is definitely their first time studying at a university in a different country. This offers the unique ability to redefine oneself and explore life from a new perspective. When you study abroad, you have the opportunity to step out of your comfort zone and break through barriers of yourself that may have been holding you back in the past. For me, I've always thought of myself as an adventurous individual, somewhat of an adrenaline junky, but when I look back on moments in my life, there are times that I "chickened" out and backed away from thrill. One moment that stands out to me was a waterfall tour (I can't remember where) with my family where the guide was showing my family all of these really cool places to jump off high cliffs into the rivers/waters below. There was one really tall one that the guide demonstrated first, and I can vividly remember not jumping off in fear. So when I studied in Australia, I was not going to let anything stop me from experiencing moments like that. I took the opportunity to finally embrace my adventurous side that I had always claimed to have.
One of the first ways that I pushed myself out of my comfort zone was signing up for a marathon. I had always wanted to and year after year persuaded myself that I didn't have enough time to train that year. "Maybe one day once I get a job and settle down I will have time". But realistically, what better time is there than the present? When the opportunity arose, 1 week before the race, and I found someone on Facebook marketplace selling their spot in the marathon I knew I had to jump on the opportunity. Although I would be under their nickname "Beef", I would have to embrace the chance. Even though I hadn't trained, I knew I would be able to push myself and at least finish the race, even it meant crawling over the finish line. When race day finally came, I was beyond nervous that I was making a dumb move, but when I crossed the finish line without ever having stopped running during the race, I was beyond proud of myself and had finished in a time that shocked me to my core. This was a pivotal moment in my exchange program as I had also signed up for an Ironman 70.3 one week prior.
I was beyond nervous yet again, just one week after finishing my marathon. Would I be able to finish the entire triathlon. Yet again, when crossing the finish line, all of those moments of doubt and nerves turned into nothing but pure self-accomplishment and pride.
When I traveled to New Zealand for a week, I had to the chance to experience what was called the "Vertigo" drop in Rotorua, New Zealand. Essentially you are being raised to 43 meters in the air and dropped from all lines of safety in a free fall toward a giant net below. Having set a precedent for myself of not allowing blocking thoughts to stop me from experiencing it all, I said yes. And it was one of my favorite stomach drops to this date.
Now instead of embracing opportunities, I was actively seeking them out. A few days later, I went sky diving with my buddy, yet again testing my limits. But the real challenge would come a few weeks later when I was traveling in Japan.
We had planned to go skiing in Niseko, Japan. Having had a knee surgery 2 years prior, this was the first high impact activity/challenge that I faced. Having survived the test of the marathon and Ironman 70.3, I knew my knew could handle the pressure, but there is also a sliver of doubt in your mind. I tried my best to not focus on it during the first run down the mountains, and by time we went had gone down the double black diamond runs, I had forgotten completely. Yet again embracing the nerves that come from stepping beyond my comfort zone.
Anther great example of this is when my family came to Sydney and we climbed the Sydney bridge. Attached by a single cable line, we hiked up the side of the bridge arches to a stunning view of the Sydney Opera House. In years prior, I may have backed down from this and I also believe most of my family would have as well. This goes to show the influence we have on those around us, as my new adrenaline experiencing side shed off on even the most timid of my family - my younger brother.
But what does all of this have to do with studying abroad. Even if you aren't clearly oxymoronic, like a nervous thrill seeker or a shy, timid pop star. We all have things that scare us in life even though we really want to do them. Studying abroad and experiencing a new location allows us to embrace those nerves and thoughts that have always held us back from achieving something in life because at the end of the day, when on exchange, most of the people around you have no clue who you are. To this day I have continued to push myself even while being back in the states. I have gone mountain biking, skydiving again, went in a hot air balloon, and have even camped in a tent in the middle of a national forest. So why not take advantage of the opportunity to experience life as the type of person you have always wanted to be. Because I can guarantee when you return to your life after, you will have a whole new side of yourself to present.
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