Tushti Hari: My Semester Abroad

Reflection and photos by Tushti Hari

As an undergraduate student in Psychology and Sociology, meeting people and learning from them is something that keeps me going. I recently finished my semester abroad in the U.K. at the University of Birmingham and I am glad to say that it was nothing short of transformative. I returned home with a heart overflowing with unforgettable memories and a mind buzzing with fresh ideas. Every single conversation, every lecture, every moment from my time in the U.K. has left a lasting imprint on me – one that will continue to shape my personal and academic journey for years to come.

I kicked off my journey with a lively and socially active Welcome Week, where I got to meet people from all over the world coming in together to study in Birmingham for a semester or a year and also lifelong Birmingham locals who proudly call themselves “Brummies.” All of it truly felt like an incredible start to amazing experiences and friendships waiting to happen throughout my time there.

From hanging out with my flatmates, to meeting people in my classes, I have learned so much about how people are influenced by their social environment and broadened my perspectives even more. Conversations over lunch, short trips over the weekend, collaborative class projects and cultural exchanges have reflected the impact of interactions on our worldview. Each individual I met carried a unique perspective that shaped them into who they are and this broadened my understanding of human behavior beyond the textbooks. It also made me appreciate human nature much more and inspired me to delve deeper into social dynamics.

One of the most memorable days was when I got to see the northern lights right here on campus. It looked like magic was created in the sky and we stood in the cold just embracing it for a good 30 minutes.

I think a semester abroad is all about having new experiences, making new memories. I like to believe that is not merely about learning in the class in a way that might be different than your home university but it is about learning from the experiences of people who you meet there. The Psychology that they teach in the U.K. is not far from what they teach in Canada but learning about a different accreditation institution, learning about how a culture is and what are the norms and expectations of this society allows you to recognize and understand the diversities in human nature. I think it is only when you experience such a global learning that you can learn faster, adapt better and grow consistently.

Needless to say learning was not the only thing that I appreciate from my time there, I have made memories that I will cherish for life and I have met people who have been integral to my journey there and whose experiences will continue to shape my personal development. I took modules in Psychology and from the School of Education and I was inspired by my classmates, the researches being done at the University and learned from amazing professors that I had.

I believe that every encounter that you have intends to teach you something. It can be as simple as meeting a colleague and learning about a life goal or meeting a stranger who teaches you their way of life and add to your box of memories. You can follow more of what I learned on my Instagram @teetalksorg because I shared every part of my journey from my trips around the U.K. to my experiences in Birmingham to some amazing campus tours. I would like to also thank all the people who supported me from the University of Toronto’s international experience team and my college’s registrar to make sure I had the best experience possible and a big warm thank you to everyone in Birmingham who helped me and was a part of my journey all along.

>> Originally published on Tee Talks

Trinity College student Tushti Hari is a fourth year student studying Sociology, Psychology, and Buddhism, Psychology & Mental Health (BPMH).

Categories: Student News