What Studying Abroad Taught Me: From Western to Copenhagen

Written by: Tessa Devereaux, 4th Year FIMS

At the start of 2024, I found myself at a bit of a crossroads. I was eager to do something meaningful with my summer, but unsure what that would look like - how I’d fund it, where I’d live, or even if I was heading in the right direction at all. I knew I wanted something that would push me outside my comfort zone, but I didn’t know what that would be… until I came across the opportunity to study abroad in Copenhagen through Western International. Looking back now, I can say with total certainty: it was one of the best decisions I’ve ever made.

I always knew studying abroad was something I wanted to check off my university bucket list. Growing up, my mindset was always: go as far as you can, whenever you can. Not because I didn’t love home - I did - but because traveling with my family at a young age sparked a lifelong passion to explore the world. So you might be wondering: if that was always my mindset, why did I pick a university just an hour and a half from home? The truth is, when the time came to decide, I realized I had my whole life to travel, and Western just felt right.

Now three years in, I know I made the right choice. After completing my first year, I was sure of two things: one, that FIMS was the perfect faculty for me, and two, that I'd found friends for life. Even the thought of graduating from Western sent me into a spiral. Suddenly, the idea of leaving for a full year or semester didn’t feel worth it anymore. I pushed studying abroad to the back of my mind, convincing myself it just wasn't for me - until one day, the opportunity came knocking again.

After hearing about my friend’s exchange to Austria through BMOS, I figured it couldn’t hurt to see what programs FIMS had to offer. I ended up on Western International’s Atlas platform, scrolling through dozens of amazing options, but nothing really stuck with me. That is, until I found the University of Copenhagen summer study abroad program. I hadn't even considered a summer term before, but suddenly it clicked: I could live in Copenhagen, a beautiful city I'd never been to, immerse myself in something new, and still be back at Western in the fall. I was sold and applied for the 2024 term right away.

Having travelled a lot with my family, I thought I knew exactly what to expect. But here’s the truth: travelling and living alone is a whole different experience. There’s so much more to think about (budgets, flights, documents, housing etc) and reality hit me the moment I got my acceptance email. Still, as overwhelming as it felt, the excitement always outweighed the stress. I still remember walking out of my international onboarding event at Western International, grinning from ear to ear.

I hadn’t known anyone else going abroad that summer and was fully prepared to dive in solo and meet people along the way. But at that event, I met four amazing girls from Western who were doing the exact same program — something I never expected. Meeting them instantly eased my social nerves, and it’s why I always recommend attending the pre-departure events. You never know who you’ll connect with — and sometimes, those early introductions become the heart of your entire experience.

Arriving in Copenhagen with all my belongings packed into one suitcase for two months was a surreal moment. The very first thing I did after landing was pull out my phone to order an Uber to my dorm. Reality check: there are no Ubers in Copenhagen. That was just the first of many little cultural differences I encountered on this trip, but trust me, you adjust faster than you think. Your whole study abroad experience is essentially one big ‘adjustment’, but that’s where so much of the personal growth happens.

My biggest tip to anyone studying abroad is to plan, because even a rough plan gets you moving. Time flies, and whether you’re away for two months or two semesters, every day counts. Since classes took up a good chunk of our weekdays, my friends and I made it a priority to explore after class hours and take trips on weekends or breaks. There’s so much to see and do, and honestly, about 70% of our original plans ended up changing into something completely different. You never know where you’ll end up on your foreign adventures, but that’s the magic of the whole experience - the spontaneous and unexpected moments become the best stories.

At the end of the day, I’d be lying if I said studying abroad was all fairy dust and sunshine (though, looking back, it does feel that way). There were plenty of ups and downs that pushed me to be independent and figure things out on my own, but that’s where the growth happens. The good news is, everything is figure-out-able, and Western is always just a call or email away if you need help. From the moment you accept your offer to the day you return home, you’re supported every step of the way. The reason I'm sharing my experience is because I truly believe every Western student comes back from studying abroad changed for the better. The process to start your journey might seem intimidating (trust me, I once didn’t want to leave my little Western bubble either), but the opportunity is there, and it’s so worth taking. If you’re on the fence, take this as your sign: you won’t regret it.

Interested in going abroad? Check out the following upcoming information sessions!

Go Abroad Information for Students

With more than 170 programs available, students have plenty of opportunities to add a global experience to their degree.

If you know a student considering going abroad, please encourage them to:

Visit the Go Abroad Fair on October 9 in the UCC Atrium
Attend one of our Go Abroad Info Sessions happening throughout the fall
Stop by Western Internatioanl during drop-in hours (Monday to Friday, 1-4 pm)

Students interested in building intercultural and global experience can also explore other opportunities on our Global Engagement page.

Hear from other students who have gone abroad!

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