Introduction
Nowadays, many people believe that leaving their own country can be tricky to think about as well. In my case, this decision was not made quickly. I was born and raised in Italy, and, like my friends, my future was going to an Italian University because of the influences of the standard Italian system. However, I had not chosen the university course yet, and the deadlines for the Italian exams were getting closer. Therefore, I was scared about my future and did not know if I could arrange everything for the next academic year. At that moment, my parents decided to ask me an important question: do you want to spend the next year abroad? This question changed my vision of the future, making me realize that whatever I do in the following year would be worth double if it was in English. I then decided to move to London.
My life in London
Studying out of Italy became my primary goal for many reasons. Firstly, learning English in the best way possible allows anyone to become globalized by learning to speak the most spoken language in the world. Moreover, knowing English is fundamental to getting jobs that are incomparably better than others in Italy.
Secondly, living in a multicultural city like London makes it possible to meet people from all parts of the globe. This mind-opening experience expands the vision of the world, creating a better understanding of the different cultures and how much they affect daily behavior. For example, it is clear to see the way that the city is adapted for the livelihood of people from different religions and origins. For instance, a major part of London restaurants adapted their menu to the Muslim religion by specifying all the options possible. To a large extent, most place a person can eat in London show which types of products are “Halal” (allowed) and which are “Haram” (not allowed). While living in a small town in Italy, I never realized how different and diverse our world was as of culture. Although we are one of the most famous countries for food or restaurants, I have never seen these options in any restaurant.
Thirdly, I met many people from all over the world who helped me understand that diversity of culture, language, and religion completely changes our vision of life. For example, I noticed that, generally, Asians tend to stay with friends from their country, especially if they do not speak English very well.
Based on this, it is important to understand how one lives in one of the biggest cities in the world. First of all, I have been to many big cities with my family when I was younger, and London is the best for transportation. London’s Underground reaches every corner of the city and further. Similarly, since London has four airports, many trains commute people back and forth from the main stations. The British capital also has infinite establishments such as pubs, clubs, sports pitches, museums, and any type of food from any part of the world. However, London is also a city where getting all the services you need is quite expensive compared to others.
Bottom line
I hope my opinion helps people understand what it means to study abroad. The opportunities, the amount of experience you can acquire, and the people you can meet are plenty! I understand that leaving your country of birth is an important and, at the same time, tricky decision and that a place like London can look dangerous and difficult to live in. However, moving abroad became one of the best moments of my life and, likewise, it might also bring amusements and experiences into your life that are not possible to find in any other way.