My semester abroad inspired me to return to the same university for my masters

I first set foot in Philadelphia as a teenage exchange student, and I have now returned as a graduate student in my twenties. The city and I may have both been through and come out the other side of a pandemic during our time apart, but that’s not the only reason why I feel like it’s a whole new place. 

As an exchange student 

My time as an exchange student was incredibly transformative and I look back on it more than fondly. I truly understood how fortunate I was to have the opportunity not only to live abroad but to attend such a prestigious university, even if just for a single semester. In fact, the brevity made the transition easier, knowing that home was always only four months away. 

Those months flew by and were full of intense excitement and fun. I landed the day that orientation began, and I barely had any time to put bed sheets on before being whisked into museums, mixers, and parties. However, I soon found myself carving out somewhat of a bubble. I lived in college dorms, ate at the dining halls, and only mixed with international students. I also prioritised travel during my short stay in the US, and this saw me heading to New York, Washington DC, and Florida. This made the whole experience feel more like an extended holiday, rather than a new home. 

Of course, the studies were a huge element in the exchange and this is the area where I experienced the most profound change both in myself, and in the course of my life. I was utterly astounded by the students in my classes. At Penn, almost every single student I encountered was so ambitious, driven, and genuinely enthusiastic about their studies and careers, in a way that I hadn’t seen before. This influence was a turning point for me, as I began to take my own future seriously to realise my full potential and the opportunities that it may lead me to.  

One of these opportunities was applying for and receiving a Thouron Award scholarship to return to Penn and study for a master’s degree.  

As a Thouron Scholar

I am only three months into the program, but the experience has already been hugely different. I arrived back in Philly a month before classes started, moved into my own flat off-campus, and had plenty of time to ease back into life in the city. This time around, despite still having an end in sight, it has felt like a permanent move to a new home. I have found myself feeling more independent and with greater agency over my own schedule, which has led to steadier, genuine assimilation. This pertains to life as a grad student, where I have prioritised my studies and workload, but has a positive  effect on how well I’ve settled in this time around.  

I have explored the city as a citizen rather than a tourist, and I have a diverse range of friends from my involvement in different local community groups. Another aspect that the Thouron Award has afforded me is an excellent community and support system here in Philadelphia. My cohort of British scholars are close friends who support each other as students who are all in the same boat, as have those from the year before ours. The alumni network has been great too, and it has given me the opportunity to visit and explore new areas of the city. I have felt so welcomed and supported by the Thouron community, and I am grateful to form bonds that I know will last. 

In hindsight, my short-term mobility experience changed the course of my academic career and opened incredible opportunities for me. I wouldn’t have applied to such a prestigious university or scholarship had I not been inspired by my exchange experience to achieve my full potential. In addition, my prior experience of being a temporary student helped me assimilate more quickly into Philly. All this goes to show the power and impact of study abroad opportunities, however brief, and how they often lead to even better new horizons. 

Caitlin is a Thouron scholar studying for a master’s degree in English. 

The Thouron Award application deadline is 1 November 2022 for British graduates.