Sunset at the Beach Outshines Sunrise from the Library
How many 'A's do you remember achieving in college? How many nights were dedicated to the library, editing resumes and applying for internships? As we graduate, grades and job-seeking nights may fade. But looking back on your study-abroad journey, what are the biggest regrets you still wish you had accomplished? Is it wishing you had started your own business instead of dreaming about that day for years? Or perhaps it's the missed road trip opportunity with your best friends that you always anticipated?
I still remember my last Sports Communication course in college. Professor Steinberg surprised the class with Boston Red Sox tickets, stating that if we enjoyed the game, we would get an 'A' for the final. He emphasized that life is about creating memories that you'll proudly recount with laughter — moments far more valuable than a full GPA. As the sunset painted Fenway Stadium and splattered golden hues on our smiles, our class gathered in Red Sox hats and sweatshirts, cheering and singing "Sweet Caroline" together for one last time. That night, I also witnessed Tzu-Wei Lin, the Red Sox infielder from my hometown Taiwan, hit a home run. It was a wonderful night, an unforgettable story I cherish.
Today, as I flashback to the moment of carrying three suitcases and stepping through 17-inch snow in Boston, prepared to embark on my new study-abroad adventure, I told myself to stay at home in such harsh weather and focus on getting a high GPA. Until I realized that three-fourths of the year in Boston is freezing, and spending overnight in the library to study was not the reason I flew 7286 miles away from home.
Continuing my Digital Media master's degree at USC Annenberg, I’ve come to realize that making cool plans with friends has become even more challenging. With a hectic schedule completing class assignments and applying for jobs, what started as plans with friends turned into sharing hundreds of relatable “adulthood scheduling” Instagram reels and teasing each other about missed coffee shop visits we had planned months ago. But do we want these busy moments to be the only memories we look back on in the future? A special shoutout to those friends who make impulsive decisions — whether it's bringing me to taste Panipuri for the first time in Artesia, inspiring me to reignite my passion for swimming and drums, watching multiple rivalry games of USC vs UCLA or capturing the spectacular LA midnight view from the 6th Street Bridge through my lens. Those memorable moments made me realize that LA can still be mesmerizing without a car.
Yes, life can be busy, but it can also be fun. When someone asks me about my study abroad journey, I'd rather share stories of waking up at 5 a.m. for a serene morning hike at Eaton Canyon Trail in Pasadena or walking more than 20,000 steps to explore the beauty of both LA and Culver City’s Arts Districts. I'd recount immersing myself in Boston's historical charm beneath Christmas snowflakes and discovering a hidden seafood truck at the corner of Cambridge with the most delicious lobster. These experiences surpass the memory of observing the first sunrise in a library after hours of final preparations or job-hunting nights.
We are still young, with opportunities to explore, create memories, and fulfill our life stories without regrets. The unexpected sceneries discovered with friends will always be more beautiful than the glimpse of the sun from the library window. So, if the study-abroad journey is a resume, what adventures will you fill it with? What will be your proud study-abroad story to tell?
