Spring Deferred, Fall Abroad: The Best Detour I Ever Took

Like any high school senior, I was nervous and excited about college applications. The University of Miami had always been my top choice, and I applied early decision. My heart was beating 100mph as I opened my decision. It was bittersweet to find out that I had been accepted, but deferred to the spring semester. All I could think about were the things I was missing out on and the friends I wouldn't have the chance to make. I imagined all the “normal” college experiences passing me by while I was stuck at home for a semester, waiting. But after weighing my options, I decided to take a huge leap of faith and go abroad to Rome for my first semester of college ever.

Arriving in Rome, I was absolutely horrified. Here I was, in a foreign country where I didn’t speak the language and knew absolutely no one. I remember standing in the airport with my suitcase, questioning everything. Was I making a huge mistake? Would I make friends? Would I even survive four months away from home? But I got on with it. I pushed past the fear and awkwardness and just tried to take it day by day.

I was lucky to have immediately clicked with an amazing group of friends. Within the first few weeks, we were planning weekend trips, navigating public transportation, and learning how to order pasta like locals. We traveled to different countries and explored every inch of Rome we possibly could, from the Colosseum to little hole-in-the-wall cafes that quickly became our favorite hangouts. There were definitely ups and downs (like getting my phone stolen in Barcelona), but we persevered and learned to laugh through the chaos.

I could not have asked for a better first semester of college. It was like a crash course of what you’re supposed to learn in four years, just all packed into a few months. I learned that in order to progress in life, you have to take risks and do things that scare you. It’s so easy to stay in your comfort zone, but nothing incredible ever really happens there. I was forced to rely on myself in ways I never had before—whether that meant navigating a train station solo, figuring out how to communicate with someone who didn’t speak English, or even just eating dinner alone when no one else was around. Every experience, even the uncomfortable ones, taught me something valuable.

I also learned how important it is to persevere. There were moments when I was homesick, moments when plans fell apart, and moments when I just felt completely overwhelmed. But I kept going. I learned to adapt, to keep my cool in unfamiliar situations, and to laugh at myself when things didn’t go perfectly. That resilience carried over into every area of my life. Even now, when things get tough, I remind myself that if I could handle living in Rome at 18 with zero experience, I can handle anything.

On top of the personal growth, I developed cross-cultural communication skills that genuinely set me apart. Whether it was navigating language barriers, understanding different customs, or simply learning how to be more patient and empathetic, I became way more in tune with the world around me. I learned to observe more, listen more, and not assume my way was the only way. Those are skills I’ll carry with me forever, in both my personal life and my future career.

Coming back to campus in the spring, I definitely felt different from the other freshmen. I had already lived on my own, in another country, and dealt with real-world situations far beyond the typical dorm drama or syllabus stress. I knew how to manage a budget, book international flights, and problem-solve on the fly. I felt independent in a way I didn’t even realize was possible when I graduated high school just a few months before.

All in all, going abroad for my first semester was the best decision I’ve ever made. It taught me about myself, about the world, and about what it means to take a risk and trust that things will work out. If you’re ever faced with an opportunity that seems scary or unconventional, just say yes. It might just become the best experience of your life.