How studying abroad changed the way I see the world

Shams of Tabriz in The Forty Rules of Love said: “Instead of resisting to changes, surrender. Let life be with you, not against you. If you think ‘My life will be upside down, don’t worry. How do you know down is not better than upside?'" And really, how do we know?

I’m not going to tell you that I spent my whole childhood dreaming of studying abroad, living in different places, and experiencing new cultures. Many people think that, and maybe I thought I did too. But the real experience came as a full package: joy, challenges, and too many lessons to count.

We all want to explore, discover new countries, learn different languages, and study at a high ranking university like ours something I personally admire and still enjoy. But what I want to share is how our mindset can completely change when we study in a multicultural city and travel abroad more than we ever expected.

From a 190-degree view to a 360-degree life

I remember myself in my home country; the same small city, the same kind and lovely people, the same friends. We shared the same values, attitudes, and hobbies. Life was easy, predictable. I was fully in my comfort zone, living with a 190-degree angle of vision.

I used to think I was open to everything and everyone, but in reality, I wasn’t. Not fully.

Studying abroad gives you a natural 360-degree vision. Suddenly, you belong to many cities. Your heart stays in many places. You expand in ways you have never expanded before. You become more connected to life naturally, effortlessly.

The beauty of abroad

The beauty of living abroad lies in this feeling, no matter where you are, you will adapt, and you will find people who love you as you are. And no matter your ethnicity, language, or background, we are all human. There is kindness everywhere, whether people share your beliefs or not.

Studying in a multicultural city connects you more deeply to your own humanity. You start seeing the world with softer eyes.

Letting change shape the heart

Rumi embraced change, and he said:

“My heart has become capable
Of every form.
It is a pasture for gazelles,
And a monastery for Christian monks.
It is a temple for idols And for whoever circumambulates it, the Kaaba.
It is the tablets of the Torah
And also the leaves of the Koran.
I believe in the religion Of Love
Whatever direction its caravans may take,
For love is my religion and my faith.”

And maybe that is what studying abroad does to us. It makes our soul capable of more and more.