From Homesick to Heartfelt: First Trip Abroad

Madison Jennings
Jun 17
2 min read

"Push yourself to make those new friends and meet those new people," Summer Pozas said on the subject of traveling abroad. Summer is a 4th year student at Louisiana State University and attended session 1 of DIRECT Cape Town this year; a big leap for your first time out of the country.

The beginning of the trip was filled with anticipation, but also a fair share of unease. Navigating a 7-hour time difference made staying in touch with loved ones difficult, and the quiet gaps in communication left Summer feeling the weight of homesickness. Still, that feeling didn’t define her experience. She reminded herself that she was in Cape Town for a reason — and chose to shift her focus outward. With intention and openness, she leaned into the unfamiliar, ready to make the most of everything this new place had to offer.

Summer pushed herself to meet new people. Summer went out of her way to talk to the locals about some of their favorite spots, therefore getting a better feel for Cape Town as a whole. She made schedules and plans with newfound friends to keep herself grounded in the country of South Africa. She found that being fully present in the trip allowed for her to make genuine friendships with whom she is already planning other trips to see. The friendships that one makes abroad are special and one-of-a-kind.

Not only did Summer fully immerse herself in Cape Town, but she also embraced every service opportunity with open arms. Reflecting on her experience, she shared, "The service opportunities that LeadAbroad Cape Town had were truly incredible. It was nothing like I had ever experienced before."

Working with the local children left a lasting impression — their warmth, constant hugs, and joy made each moment meaningful. These experiences not only broadened her perspective but also deepened her sense of gratitude. They reminded her of how much she has to be thankful for, both abroad and back home.

Summer was shocked at how small acts can make such a big impact. Whether she was making sandwiches, dancing with the children, or drawing with the kids, it brought the biggest smiles to their faces.

Summer's advice for future students is to remind themselves why they chose to sign up in the first place. If you are thinking about attending a LeadAbroad trip or being scared about being in another country so far from home think of why you wanted to do this, what brought you here. Traveling had always been on Summer’s bucket list — and LeadAbroad made that dream a reality. Through the program, she found herself not only in a new country, but surrounded by incredible people who quickly became a meaningful part of her journey.