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Five years ago, I left �������� and traveled to the United States as a high school exchange student for a year. Following that experience, I decided to go back to the US to pursue my undergraduate degree. Yesterday, I graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science and Global Studies. Throughout these five years of learning and pursing knowledge, I learned and grew as an individual in all different aspects.
The lessons that I have learned throughout the years from both life and my classes in college made me challenge myself by being analytical and critical. Somehow, my horizons of wonder expanded because everything around me was set up in a way that made me become the person I am today.
Taking on the initiative of applying to study abroad is definitely a big step in anyone’s life. I always had a great sense of amazement at the limits of the things that I could try to do and succeed in achieving.
I always asked “what if?” That is why I had to find the answers for myself. Having such a supportive environment allowed me to excel.  Beginning with my family and friends, then my school, and eventually my university. When we set our minds to a goal, then everything around us will start aligning in a way to help us reach that destination.
Over the past 10 years, there has been an increased number of Saudi students studying around the world. It has become a journey that excites and interests everyone. In addition to the students’ own interest to study abroad, the government has also been supporting hundreds of thousands of Saudi students with their different degrees in several diverse countries around the world.
So, to my fellow peers, after five years abroad all on my own, what piece of advice can I give you?
Recognize your potential and always aim high. Remember that you are powerful beyond measure and universities around the world would be excited to have you join their programs. Always work hard on your applications wherever you’re applying because admission committees are always looking for something special and unique in their prospective students. That is, you. You are unique, and you are special through your own educational journey and cultural background.
Get involved in your university’s campus as much as you can. I gained some of the most valuable experiences of my college journey through having a calendar filled with events that I had with student organizations that I was part of. Always stay part of a community because you’ll be amazed by how much you’ll grow, and how richer your college experience will turn out to be.
Learn. Seriously, learn and take everything seriously. Always remember that you are abroad for a reason and that you are also admitted to your university for a reason. Use every lesson that is thrown at you. From the classroom, to campus activities, to engaging with the community where you’re living. Everything around you is a valuable learning experience that will help you grow as an individual, so benefit from them.
Trust your destiny and enjoy. Being abroad and away from family and friends for so long is never an easy journey. You are going to have hard times, but these are the days that you will remember eventually and smile at with so much pride and joy. There’s something that is reassuring in having faith in what’s about to come, and simply letting everything be. Even when things are hard, know that they will pass, and once they’re over, you’ll be stronger than ever. Enjoy all those fun moments, because you’re only there once, so you might as well enjoy and make the most of your experience.
Now, I write these points because they are the main things that made me succeed and get through my college journey. I received them as different advice from my family and friends throughout all of these five years, and I was always reminded by them.
I am currently writing this article from above the Atlantic Ocean as I leave the United States and fly back home to Saudi for the very last time as a student. My journey has impacted and shaped me and I am thankful to every person I have met and every lesson I have learned. Always ask yourself, what if, what if I actually try? Never stop for fear of rejection because your continuous persistence will get you further and higher in life. The beauty of success is that we are always learning, and thus, always growing. Then, once we reach our goals and aspirations, we look back and smile at those times that made us who we are today.

Razan Farhan Alaqil is a student of political science/international comparative politics and global studies. She is a Saudi youth representative at the UN.