When I look back on the 9 1/2 months I spent living in the south of France, I am filled with many emotions. Regret, however, is one that does not come to mind. My goal for my study abroad experience in Montpellier, France was to never look back and wish that I had done something differently. Life is short and studying abroad is even shorter, so it is important to not waste time saying, "I'll do that tomorrow." That particular experience may not be there tomorrow and you have lost a unique opportunity, whether it be taking a trip to a vineyard or learning how to salsa dance.
The whole purpose of study abroad is to take you out of your comfort zone and allow you to experience new things with an open mind and an adventurous spirit. Of course this means different things to each and every one of us, whether adventure to you is white water rafting or traveling alone or merely striking up a conversation with a stranger. Whatever adventure means to you: make sure to take advantage of this opportunity to have one!
Some of my best experiences happened when I stopped planning and started living. Throwing yourself wholeheartedly into a different culture can be an exhilarating and scary, but I promise you it is worth it.
If I had not allowed myself to be adventurous while abroad, then I never would have experienced Oktoberfest in Munich or swam in a hidden away lake in the south of France or seen Platform 9 3/4! (That one was for all you Harry Potter fans.)
Remember adventure doesn't have to be sky diving or swimming with sharks, but it should be something fun for you that lets you explore a new side of yourself. If you take this study abroad opportunity as a chance to be adventurous and not hold back, then you will have no regrets. I only have one: that my time there went by so fast.
