The A-Train to Mecca
"The journey is part of the experience — an expression of the seriousness of one's intent. One doesn't take the A train to Mecca." – Anthony Bourdain
Meet Howard University students Christian (‘27), Aaliyah (‘26), Madison (‘26) and Bella (‘26) as they share their study abroad experiences in an exclusive interview with Richelle Johnson.
Like any other formative experience, studying abroad is a journey. It’s challenging, and occasionally uncomfortable, but it is deeply rewarding. Studying abroad requires a level of intention, vulnerability, and bravery that many of us are unfamiliar with, yet all of us gained through this experience. The interviews that follow capture the raw, daunting, and magical experience of studying abroad.
“If you could describe your experience in one word, what would it be?”
It’s difficult to capture an entire season of your life in one word, especially when there’s so many different emotions and experiences attached to it, but here are a few attempts:
“Healing” – Christian Smith
“Transformative! Being immersed in the culture of Guadeloupe, I was exposed to the most amazing people. I learned so much in such a short amount of time, and I was able to connect with other students in such a powerful way.” – Bella Miller
“Exciting. It’s the best word because it includes the nervous energy I felt when I first got to Greece. I was excited to be in Greece and experience the new culture.” – Madison Malachi
“Transformative.” – Aaliyah Rapping
The underlying theme of here is that studying abroad metamorphosizes you. Through each experience, you are being shaped and reshaped, adopting new perspectives and immersing yourself in a new culture. If I could describe my study abroad experience in one world, it would be humbling. It’s hard to admit when you don’t know it all, and after nearly four months in London, there’s still so much I don’t know. Get comfortable with not knowing, and be humble enough to learn, ask questions, and embrace every new experience.
“What’s the biggest lesson you learned being abroad?”
“The biggest lesson I learned while being abroad is that you can connect with anyone in this world, despite formerly anticipated barriers like language or culture. I was able to bond with other students over a plethora of topics such as pop culture, education, music, and more.” – Bella Miller
“Traveling to Guadeloupe and Ghana really expanded my horizons and taught me that anything I’ve learned here in the United States is, more likely than not, a limited perspective that is keeping me from understanding the full story of people across the Black diaspora.” – Aaliyah Rapping
“What was the biggest challenge you faced?”
“The biggest challenge was missing my friends and family. With the time difference being seven hours, it is a challenge to figure out when to talk and call. I missed having all of the resources I am used to.” – Madison Malachi
“Trying to disconnect myself from Howard as in trying to focus on my study abroad trip and not get so wrapped up in what I’m going to do when I get back on campus, or the things I could’ve accomplished if I was still on campus right now. Basically, focusing on enjoying this new experience rather than reflecting on the ones I had at Howard” – Christian Smith
I think most of us underestimate the shift in access and resources that occurs when you study abroad. Although you don’t lose your community, your connection to it changes. Being 5,000+ miles away from the people you love and the places you call home is a tough adjustment, but don’t let that stop you from fully embracing all that studying abroad has to offer. Be where your feet are, and stay present in your study abroad experience instead of wondering what’s going on at home.
“What was the hardest part about adjusting to living abroad?”
“The hardest adjustment while being abroad was probably the language barrier. However, it was definitely something that we adapted to. We became no strangers to Google Translate, and we even learned a little French while at it!” – Bella Miller
“I felt that there is a part of immersion that I missed out on because I didn’t know the language that everybody else spoke….There was another level of knowing what was going on on a cultural level if I had been able to speak [the language]” – Aaliyah Rapping
Language is an obvious hurdle when studying abroad, but adaptability is key. It’s both a blessing and a curse to not have to know another language, to be able to assume someone will know English wherever you land. This is a fantastic privilege, but it also isolates you from fully immersing yourself in the culture. Should you decide to study somewhere where English is not the primary language, be patient with yourself and others as you navigate communicating with each other.
“How did you manage your academic and social life?”
“I made a list of things that I wanted to accomplish while I was abroad and being more social was on my list. I made it a priority to be more social and be outgoing when it comes to meeting new people. Once I understood how academically involved I needed to be, I was able to be more social.” – Madison Malachi
“I made a Google calendar and made sure all my work was done before Thursday, because I didn’t have classes Friday to Sunday” – Christian Smith
Above all things, you must remember that this is not vacation with a side of school. This is not an extended holiday, and it is certainly not an excuse to put off your pursuit of higher education. So when it comes to managing your academic and social life, prioritize doing well, and the rest will fall into place. There’s a certain pressure to say yes to everything, but not at the cost of the real reason you are there. Act accordingly.
“How did you find community in a new country?”
“I’ve been fortunate enough to travel to these spaces with other Howard students through the College of Arts and Sciences. So naturally, I had a community of Howard students who were having new experiences just like me, which was great because it allowed me to get close to my peers. But in terms of making community with people abroad, I just ask questions. Anything that I was curious about, anything I wanted to know, I just asked questions and put myself out there.” – Aaliyah Rapping
“Seeing Black culture in another country was the best way to find community abroad. As a Sociology major, I often study the diversity within Blackness, and I was able to see this first-hand in Guadeloupe. We learned native Guadeloupean dances and songs, and in turn, we taught some of our dances and songs. My favorite part of the trip was teaching line dances to everyone. As a proud Black woman from the South, that’s been one of the best ways I’ve found joy in connecting with others.” – Bella Miller
“What, if anything, kept you grounded during your time abroad?”
“I consider myself an avid TV watcher, so watching all of my favorite shows during the week really helped me. Plus, making sure that I am keeping in touch with my friends from home since I am used to seeing them every day.” – Madison Malachi
“Art and music.” – Christian Smith
Finding pockets of alone time, or moments of familiarity through comfort shows and movies, was fundamental to keeping many of us grounded throughout this experience. It’s undeniable that you will miss home and that things will get hectic, so creating space to take a step back to reset and recharge is the most important thing you can do.
“What was/is your favorite part about being abroad?”
“The ability to travel to different countries and take short trips during the weekend. It's a lot harder to do that consistently in the US.” – Madison Malachi
“Getting to experience a new culture and actively integrate myself into that culture.” – Christian Smith
“How do you think this experience changed you?”
“This experience has confirmed that I should take leaps into what may be seemingly scary. Before the trip, I was very nervous about what to expect. I was worried that I would say or do the wrong thing or that I may not fit in with the people of Guadeloupe. But, I was so wrong! The people of Guadeloupe are some of the warmest, most welcoming people that I’ve ever come across. When we were abroad, we went to Carnival, which was probably the most memorable aspect of our trip. I found myself getting emotional, as I danced joyously down the street with my peers and residents of Guadeloupe. In that moment, we were Black joy, personified.” – Bella Miller
“I grew up knowing that I wanted to change the world. I always knew I wanted to help people, I always knew that whatever I did with my life, I was going to be of service to others. And I think that as a Black girl growing up in Atlanta, I always saw that as me helping the Black community in the United States. I think that traveling to Guadeloupe and then Ghana gave me this new perspective that my impact can go far beyond just the Black experience in the United States, but impact people across the Black diaspora. For me that was really transformative because I was seeing so many similarities in the struggles, experiences, and culture of Black people across these different spaces that it made me want to look into how I can make an impact beyond the country I’m from, and then bridge the gap for Black people around the world.” – Aaliyah Rapping.
This experience changed me in ways I have yet to grasp or fully appreciate, but it has expanded my universe in the most incredible way. It’s difficult to describe, and even tougher to put into words for you here, but studying abroad will teach you as much about yourself as it does the place you’re living in. It might reintroduce you to your life’s purpose, or reorient your aspirations entirely. It might expand your worldview or shift your perspective.
“What advice do you have for Black students studying abroad?”
“New experiences can be nerve-wracking, especially if you might be the only Black person there. It’s important to recognize those emotions, but do not let that stop you from having fun.” – Madison Malachi
“Ask questions. The importance of being a strong communicator and listener was heavily emphasized to me through this experience. We have so much to learn and experience when we listen openly and eagerly. The essence of storytelling was ever-present in my time abroad, and I found myself feeling a range of emotions when learning from people who may have seemingly different lived experiences from myself.” – Bella Miller
“Go in with no expectations and don’t compare it to what a vacation would be like. Visiting a different country is completely different from living and being a student there. Let the experience create itself.” – Christian Smith
“Go anywhere. If you have the opportunity to travel anywhere, take it and run with it. There is nothing like being able to immerse yourself in a new country. It’s one thing to take a vacation, but to be able to go to a different place, immerse yourself in the culture, learn, and meet people is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.” – Aaliyah Rapping.
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My advice is simple – learn to trust yourself.
You will find yourself in a new environment, in an unfamiliar place, with just you to rely on. It’s exhilarating, it’s scary, but you will be all the better for it if you lean into the experience and soak it up for all it’s worth. The journey you will embark on is a testament to your bravery, your resilience, and your sense of adventure. Trust yourself, and studying abroad will be the experience of a lifetime.