In a word, my experience studying abroad in England, was…fulfilling.

So fulfilling, in fact, that I can’t come to grips with the fact that there was a very real chance I would’ve stopped myself from taking part.

Prior to the trip, I held my fair share of nerves about the program. As a non-journalism student, joining a program tailored towards sports journalism students was certainly a risk. Would I succeed? Would I fall flat on my face? Would I make enough valuable connections? Would the trip be worth it? These were all questions that raced through my head in the days leading up to the application deadline, and as a result, there was even a point where I strongly considered withdrawing my application.

But, before I did, I asked myself one final question—What’s life without a leap of faith?

I’ve lived my life fairly cautiously, and taking risks isn’t something I’m overly fond with. I’ll fold after the flop, lay up to avoid the bunker, and a panenka? I’ll leave that to Pirlo, thanks. Jokes aside, I quickly realized that I’d played it safe for 21 years of my life, and that no longer sat right with me. So, I kept my application, got accepted into the program shortly after, packed my bags, and off I went.

Looking back, it was probably the best decision I’ve ever made. Everything I’d hoped to get out of the program, I did. I’ll always look back at my time in England with a big smile, and I’m glad I took the leap.

Of course, as with anything, a few challenges popped up along the way. The lack of free water in London was a thorn in my side on many occasions, as was the general lack of A/C. However, in my opinion, these grievances only added to the character of the program. Traveling should never be entirely easy, and a few obstacles along the way simply add to the fun, at least in my eyes.

I’m not entirely sure what I want to do in my career yet, which isn’t exactly uncommon for a college student. However, I do know that I love football, and would jump at the opportunity to pursue a career covering the sport I grew up watching. This program went a long way in making that dream into a reality, as the skills I learned over the course of this trip were invaluable. Over the past month, I’ve not only learned how to properly conduct interviews and how to approach a story in different ways, but I’ve also changed the way I view sports in general. It’s never just grown men and women chasing a ball around for 90 minutes, but so much more. For allowing me to see that, I have this trip to thank.

A part of me went on this trip to find answers, to test myself, and to get an idea of whether or not I could cut it in the industry. I believe I found those answers, and it’s largely due to the people I met. Everyone, from my fellow students to industry professionals, gave me the encouragement I was desperately searching for. The connections I made on this trip were also incredible, and I plan to make the most of them in the near future.

I left London with zero regrets, and for that, I’m grateful to the University of Florida for providing me the opportunity to take part in this program. It’s hard to put into words how thankful I am for the people I met on this trip, so I’ll sign off with this—you guys changed my life, truly. #GoGators.