Eesti
I guess this is it. My very last article. I am so sad to say goodbye to this year. It feels like my heart is broken into little pieces and these pieces are divided between the countries and cities which I used to call my home for half a year.
I never thought I’m going to be one of those girls who’s going sit down and cry when this adventurous year is over but here I am, writing this post and partly crying partly smiling. This has for sure been the most hectic and the most exciting year of my entire life so far. I’m so glad that I went to EBS international office one-day last winter and asked for more information about Bocconi and CBS. I truly appreciate the opportunity of being able to study in both of those. I could not be happier.
The last two weeks of Copenhagen were very busy. I had my last two exams in statistics and organizational behavior (one only a day before my departure). Both were oral exams and based on written products. I hate oral exams as I get so nervous before those but as it turned out I scored 12 out of 12 and can be pretty happy with the end of my semester. Other than studying I also visited many brunch places, partied a few last times with my friends and basically made sure to spend all my money on food.
But now..
Should you go on an exchange?
Obviously YES.
Is it only fun?
Definitely not (or maybe depends on a person?!). It’s so much more. It’s everything from being a little homesick when not being able to take part of your little sister’s birthday or when having 0 battery left on your phone and literally having no clue which way home is to partying from 2pm to 2am and crying from happiness with your most awesome friends. But I guess if it didn’t have its downsides, would that even be fun?
What do I take with me from this year?
First of all, I have learned so much about myself and my capabilities. It sure is one hell of a crazy idea to divide one year into 2 exchange periods in two different universities and cultures. It takes time to adopt to a new home, new school, new environment, new food, new friends and many other new things. So, on the whole journey of becoming familiar to all those things you learn a lot about yourself. What is more, I also take with me my INSANE network which includes people from all around the world. I hate networking as such but while being abroad all by yourself, there really is no other choice than talking to random people, becoming friends with them and doing all other, sometimes stupid, sometimes amazing things together. I will never ever forget Distortion (a 2-day party on the streets of Copenhagen) and the way we partied for 12h in a row, I will never forget those bike rides and very deep conversations, I will never forget the most boring city-trip to Malmö, I will never forget all those pointless argues and weird misunderstandings between different cultures etc. Besides that, I also came here for the education and I’m proud of everything I was able to do and learn while living in Copenhagen and Milan but I think that increased academic knowledge has very little to do with what I actually take with me from this year.
What should you be aware of?
Exchange changes people. I have changed. I feel like this year abroad has made me a more mature (maybe more crazy) person in a sense that I’m way more independent and more willing to make my own decisions than a year ago. I don’t freak out if the water from the bathroom doesn’t leave as it should, I don’t wait for mom to tell me what medicine I should take when I’m dying of sickness, I’m not afraid of being alone on a creepy street (sometimes doubtable) and most importantly, I’m not afraid to take chances, to do things that seem to be way too out of my league (participate in projects for which I surely have no time for or help out people with problems which I have no connection with or write articles which actually take way more time than I would’ve guessed). Furthermore, definitely something to be afraid of – you like your life as it is abroad way too much. I have seen some very hard days but every freaking day when it was sunny outside I loved it. I loved being surrounded by my amazing Germans (+ many other awesome nationalities from Indians to Americans etc), I loved every brunch I ever had, I loved going out and listening techno music which I used to dislike back in the days and I loved living in my another home with a tiny bathroom, megasmall bedroom but the coolest roommates. So of course there are situations that might freak the hell out of you but it’s okay. It’s just something you were not used to before.
Would I do it again?
Definitely yes but I would probably want to work at the same time too. Not earning money for the whole year and only spending is a bit frustrating.
To sum things up, I’m more than happy to have been able to live abroad thanks to my exchange. It was sometimes hard but positive times BY FAR exceeded all the mess I created. I’ve been lucky enough to write about my journey and I hope you found at least something interesting out of it.
My huge suggestion for everyone scared of or unclear about going abroad: JUST GO, explore the world, mess things up, experience awkward situations, enhance your network, feel stupid, learn a lot, don’t forget to appreciate every moment… and then come back home 🙂
Ciao!
Lisanna
PS! If you have any questions, don’t hesitate to contact me directly, we’ll figure something out.
Fotod: Lisanna Pihlak
Tõlkija: Laura-Liisa Lilleberg
Toimetaja: Carina Kärt Mättikas
