When the news finally came, excitement was the first feeling that came to mind.

After all the hard work, preparation, and anticipation, the opportunity to study abroad at National Chengchi University (NCCU), Taiwan, felt like a reward—and the beginning of something entirely new.

“I was honestly very excited, and it felt like all the hard work I had put in finally paid off,” the student recalls.

But behind the excitement was also a little nervousness. Studying abroad meant leaving behind a familiar routine, entering a new environment, and learning how to navigate life far away from home. There was no certainty about what the experience would bring.

And perhaps, that was exactly what made it exciting.

A Warm Welcome in a New Place

The first impression of Taiwan was surprisingly comforting.

“Wow, this place is really nice!”

The city felt clean, convenient, and easy to navigate. But beyond the physical environment, what stood out most was the kindness of the people.

Even with limited Mandarin skills, the student found that communication barriers did not necessarily mean communication had to stop. People were patient, willing to help, and understanding when conversations did not go as smoothly as expected.

For a Communication student, this became an experience in itself.

Communication was no longer simply something learned through theories, presentations, or classroom discussions. It was something experienced every day—through gestures, expressions, cultural differences, language barriers, and even moments of misunderstanding.

The experience showed that sometimes, communication goes beyond words.

Learning Communication Through a Different Cultural Lens

Studying Communication in Taiwan also offered a perspective that could not easily be found inside an Indonesian classroom.

In Indonesia, students are naturally familiar with the cultural and social contexts surrounding the way people communicate and consume media. At NCCU, however, those familiar assumptions were challenged.

The student began to see how strongly culture, language, and society shape communication.

The same message may be interpreted differently depending on who receives it, where they come from, and what cultural experiences they bring with them.

This became one of the most meaningful lessons of the study abroad experience: communication is never truly one-size-fits-all.

Understanding an audience requires more than simply delivering a message. It requires curiosity, cultural awareness, and the willingness to see the world from another person’s perspective.

For a Communication student, studying abroad therefore became more than an academic exchange. It became an opportunity to experience communication as a living, constantly evolving process.

Memories Made Beyond the Classroom

Of course, the most memorable parts of studying abroad were not always found inside lecture halls.

Some of the most meaningful memories came from exploring Taiwan with fellow exchange students from different countries and backgrounds.

Together, they visited famous destinations, tried new experiences, and shared stories about their respective cultures.

What started as a group of students from different parts of the world gradually became a community connected by a shared experience.

Every conversation became an opportunity to learn something new.

Different languages, different traditions, different perspectives—and yet, they could still laugh at the same jokes, enjoy the same food, and create memories together.

It was a reminder that studying abroad is not only about discovering a new country. It is also about discovering new people and new perspectives.

The Challenge of Doing Things Alone

But studying abroad is not always an Instagram-worthy adventure.

One of the biggest challenges was having to do almost everything independently, especially while speaking only a little Mandarin.

Simple everyday activities could suddenly become challenging.

Asking for directions. Ordering food. Understanding what someone was saying. Figuring out how to get somewhere.

Things that might feel effortless at home sometimes required extra courage and patience in a foreign country.

Yet, those small challenges gradually became important milestones.

After a few days, the unfamiliar environment started to feel more manageable. Confidence grew. Navigating the city became easier. Mistakes became less intimidating.

The student began to realize that independence does not necessarily mean knowing exactly what to do. Sometimes, it simply means being willing to try, make mistakes, and figure things out along the way.

The Unexpected Lesson: Discovering Yourself

Perhaps the biggest surprise was that studying abroad was not only about learning more about Taiwan.

It was also about learning more about oneself.

Living away from home created opportunities to become more independent, adaptable, and comfortable with doing things alone.

There was also an unexpected realization: you do not always have to be completely prepared before taking the first step.

Sometimes, waiting until everything feels perfect only creates another reason to hesitate.

Studying abroad became a lesson in taking that first step—and trusting yourself to learn along the way.

A Message for Those Who Are Still Hesitating

For students who dream of studying abroad but are still afraid to take the opportunity, the advice is simple:

Don’t let the fear of being uncomfortable stop you from experiencing something you truly want.

Feeling nervous is normal. Entering a new country, meeting new people, and adapting to a different culture can feel overwhelming.

But discomfort can also become the beginning of growth.

The challenges of navigating a foreign city, communicating in another language, meeting people from different cultures, and living independently may seem intimidating at first. Yet, each challenge can become a story, a lesson, and eventually a source of confidence.

Because sometimes, the most valuable part of studying abroad isn’t the destination.

It is the person you become along the way.

From the classrooms of National Chengchi University to the streets of Taiwan, from conversations across language barriers to friendships formed across cultures, this study abroad journey has become more than an academic experience.

It has become a journey of communication, discovery, independence, and self-growth.

And perhaps that is the real meaning of studying abroad: stepping outside what is familiar, opening yourself to the unfamiliar, and coming home with a much bigger understanding of both the world—and yourself.