Dream big, study abroad

Author: Kamran Alyiev/ Editor: Paula Heinen

I vividly remember a 15-year-old me discovering the possibility of studying and living abroad for the first time. I had just attended a summer camp organised by the Eastern Partnership Civil Society Forum and lived abroad on my own for a few weeks. As a result, my whole life changed: I had discovered that the life I had been living up to that moment was just a tiny part of the world that was out there to be discovered. Growing up and living in Azerbaijan was a privilege: rich culture, warm hospitality, and the feeling of home I can’t get anywhere else. However, I knew that I needed to leave my comfort zone and do some soul-searching. This is how my big dream formulated: to discover a new world and a new me within it.

Making this dream come true was far from easy. First and foremost, I had to discuss my decision with my parents. Thankfully, they were not only supportive but encouraged me to go further down this path. Second, I had to come up with a plan: what to study, where to go, which university to choose? Finally, after answering all these questions, I could start working towards my goal. I improved my language skills, prepared for international exams, and studied for hours for better grades. And… it paid off! I recall anxiously waiting for the results after my applications were sent. Opening the emails, my hands shaking, I found out that I had got into the university in the city of my dreams: Prague! I was beyond happy! Ever since, my life has changed in a different direction: an uncertain road that I was hesitant to walk at first, but couldn’t ignore.

At 18, I moved out. It was bizarre to see my entire life up to that point fit into two medium-sized suitcases. The first few days in Prague were quite hard, I kept thinking to myself: what am I even doing here? On more than one occasion, I thought about returning… But no, the only way out was through. No matter how hard things got, I couldn’t look back: the answers I was looking for weren’t in the past, so I kept moving forward. And I  am so glad I did. It allowed me to learn so much about myself and my relationship with the outside world. I educated myself not only through my studies but also through the culture of the country I was living in. I travelled to the places a teenage me would only have dreamt of. I tried so much new food, the names of which I couldn’t (and still can’t) pronounce. I met some of my best friends, without whom I cannot imagine my life any more. However, I was not the only one who was benefiting from my experience abroad; I also had the chance to educate many of my peers from the EU. Living in different EU countries, I was shocked by how many people were not familiar with Azerbaijan or its culture. I got a lot of “You are the first person I am meeting from Azerbaijan!” I introduced them to our local traditions and delicious cuisine, and even taught them some phrases in Azerbaijani. Thus, studying in the EU not only improved my knowledge about foreign countries but also improved their knowledge about mine. I couldn’t have formed such strong personal connections without studying abroad.

Looking back at these years, I am so proud of how far I have come. Sometimes, things didn’t always go the way they were planned, and I had some negative experiences. But what is life without the downsides? The most important thing is making the right decision for your soul and not taking any regrets with you. And that is exactly how I feel at the moment. Right now, I am studying for my master’s in Vienna (yes, I moved to a new country again) and am working towards my future. I want my experience to be a reminder for everyone that your big dreams as a teenager can and will come true. This includes studying abroad and moving to a new city, too. Even though it takes a lot of effort to leave your home and family and go into the unknown, you will never know the outcome if you don’t take the risk. Especially, if you are moving from an Eastern Partnership country to the EU, you will be able to learn so much about different countries’ cultures and share yours with them. 

If you are reading this, I want you to know that I believe in you, and I know that a bright future is waiting for you. And if you are already dreaming about studying or living abroad, this is your sign to go for it. Because when the time comes, it will all make sense. You will see that all the hard work and the sacrifices were worth it. The experiences you gain, the challenges you face, and the people you meet will shape you in ways you couldn’t even have imagined before. So, take that leap of faith, embrace the uncertainty, and trust that everything will fall into place.