When I was 21 years old and spent a semester as an exchange student in San Francisco, I thought I was prepared for the experience of a lifetime. I had imagined myself exploring new places, meeting new people, and soaking up the California sunshine, with a hint of the San Francisco Fog.
But the reality turned out a little different. At least to begin with.
My classes were challenging… much harder than I’d expected. And before I knew it, my days revolved around simply just studying. I spent hours in the library or sitting by my desk in my small room, reading, writing, and worrying about my grades. While other students were exploring the city, I told myself I didn’t have time.
I was in San Francisco, physically, but somehow I wasn’t really there.
The Moment It Clicked
One weekend, after a particularly stressful week, I decided to take a break. I closed my laptop and took a walk to the Golden Gate Park, only a block away from the apartment where I rented a room.
It was a beautifully sunny day. For the first time in weeks, I just sat still and took everything in. The smell of nature, the squirrel running up the tree and the feeling of being small in such a big, beautiful world.
That moment shifted something in me.
I realized that while my exchange semester was meant to be about learning, it didn’t have to be only about studying. Learning could also happen outside the classroom – through people, places, and experiences that I could only have in that city, in that moment.
So, what did I learn?
From that day on, I made a quiet promise to myself: I would balance my academic goals with a sense of exploration.
I started spending my weekends wandering through different neighborhoods — Chinatown, Haight-Ashbury, the Mission District — noticing the small details that make San Francisco so unique. I made sure to see the important landmarks such as Golden Gate Bridge, the Painted Ladies and Twin Peaks. But also getting the real American College experience with house-parties, going to rollerblade-discos with friends, exploring the city’s food scene and going to the beach.
I even traveled with some newfound friends to Las Vegas and Los Angeles for Thanksgiving.
I didn’t see everything, but I saw enough — and more importantly, I learned to be present.
Have you ever had a trip or a stay abroad that changed how you see travel – or even yourself? I’d love to hear your story in the comments below.
Read this post for tips on getting the most out of your exchange semester.
