“I decided to come to Boston because I was thrilled to live in a multicultural city,” López said, an exchange student from Ecuador attending BU for a year before returning home. “The American [education] system is by far the best for me,” Grigorov said. “I like to be able to take responsibility of my schedules and actions and feel more free.” Like Chehayeb, Grigorov overcame the language barrier. He began learning English informally around age 10, but attended school in London at 13 and studied English in a classroom setting. Although there are many advantages to reverse studying abroad, the journey did not proceed without a few bumps in the road. Adjusting to the dining halls, living alone for the first time and adapting to the lifestyle changes were common struggles. Eating in the dining halls for days on end was challenging. Not only was the food different, but also for some, eating in a dining hall setting was untraditional. The general consensus was that the BU dining halls were subpar. After her first semester, López gave up on the dining halls. In Ecuador, it is unusual to eat alone, like many college students do between classes. She has not found an Ecuadorian restaurant in Boston, so she prefers to cook for herself and learn to make new recipes. Accustomed to the generous spices in Lebanese food, Chehayeb said, “I hate the dining hall food. I think it’s very bland. BU makes the best food during Parents Weekend and the beginning of the semester,” but often lacks quality throughout the rest of the school year. Adapting to the New England environment presented its own set of problems, but also paved the way for new adventures. It is a well-known fact that when students go abroad to Europe, they can easily travel to other countries. Weekend trips are frequent, making cultural immersion equally as important
as academics. Similarly, international students take advantage of the perks of studying abroad in the U.S. Grigorov loves traveling to Miami for its music festivals. Chehayeb traveled to Delaware for a music festival, bussed home with her close friend for Thanksgiving and hiked in New Hampshire. López does not mind traveling alone, and she loves to take the bus. Her favorite place to visit is New York. Going home for break is difficult for those who live overseas. BU listened to its students and recently announced that beginning in the 2015-2016 school year, students will be allowed to stay in their residences during Thanksgiving and Spring Break. The tradition of “Friendsgiving,” or staying with a friend over a break, has become a popular practice within the BU community. Grigorov took the opportunity to stay with a friend over break. “I would rather go with some of my friends and visit their homes and see how they live,” he said. “Get a little more in touch with the American lifestyle.” However, López would not want to change anything about her first semester at BU. “The experience depends merely on the attitude with which I face the changes, not the place itself,” she said. “The hardest thing to adjust to was fending for myself,” said Chehayeb. “My parents spoiled me. You can’t be lazy anymore.” But, she found that it was easy to adjust socially—the opposite of her expectations. She used SPLASH, BU’s club fair, as a way to get involved and found that there really is a place for
everyone on campus. López’s advice for students is simple, yet powerful. “Embrace what makes you unique, and try to get the most of every experience.”
The hardest thing to adjust to was fending for myself.