I had dreamed of studying abroad since childhood. I wanted to see more of the world, experience another culture, and meet people from completely different backgrounds.
I had already visited the Netherlands several times and had fallen in love with its beautiful cities and friendly people. Because the country already felt welcoming and familiar, it seemed like the perfect place to begin my international study journey.
I started preparing during the summer before my final year of Secondary School. I attended IELTS preparation courses, passed the exam in October, and then began learning more about the university application process.
At first, many of the admission steps seemed confusing and intimidating. Fortunately, Kastu guided me through the entire process. The team patiently answered my questions, explained what I needed to do, and supported me whenever I felt uncertain.
With their help, the dream I had carried since childhood finally became real.
I will not pretend that everything was easy from the beginning. The first month, and especially the first few weeks, was difficult. I had to deal with homesickness, a new language, an unfamiliar environment, and the feeling that my old life had suddenly changed completely.
During my first week at university, I remember sitting in a lecture and asking myself, “What am I doing here?” I even began to question whether I had chosen the right study programme.
Now I understand that these doubts are completely normal.
I met many other international students who had experienced exactly the same fears. Realising that I was not alone made everything much easier. We were all learning how to live in a new country, speak another language every day, and build a new life away from home.
Gradually, things began to change.
I became less afraid of speaking English and making mistakes. I stopped worrying about saying something incorrectly because I realised that communication matters more than perfection. I also needed Google Translate less often, and the lectures became more interesting as I started feeling increasingly confident and comfortable.
The place that had initially felt unfamiliar slowly started to feel like home.
Studying abroad has already taught me much more than I expected. It has helped me become more independent, trust myself, and understand that courage does not mean having no fear. Courage means taking the next step even when you are unsure.
I completely understand students who are still deciding whether to study abroad. I also had doubts and even created a list of advantages and disadvantages before making my final decision.
It is a major step, and it requires courage. You are leaving your familiar environment, family, friends, and daily routines behind. But you are also opening the door to new cultures, international friendships, personal growth, and opportunities that may change the direction of your life.
My advice is simple: do not let temporary fear decide your future.
Step outside your comfort zone and give yourself the chance to try. The beginning may be challenging, but one day you may look back and realise that taking this step was one of the best things you ever did for yourself.
