GRIP, Research Abroad The Art of Doing Things Alone

I have an aversion to eating in the dining hall alone.

At Penn, between attending crowded lectures, grabbing meals with friends, and living in one of the densely populated highrise buildings, there are rarely moments when I am completely alone. Of course, there is nothing wrong with spending time alone, but with such close proximity and easy access to all of my friends during the semester, I feel little reason to do so.

In Germany, between attending a concert, exploring the food scene in the city center, and even traveling to a completely new country, I have done so many things alone. Over the course of the past 10 weeks, I not only have dabbled in the art of doing things alone, but also have begun to genuinely appreciate it.

In May, when I boarded my plane to Germany alone, I was still recovering from the whirlwind of the spring semester, which had culminated in my last final exam only two days before. I entered Germany, unfamiliar with the language, country, and people. However, this initial state of loneliness actually helped open me to new experiences during my time in Germany. I found myself more willing to strike up conversations with new people, try new things around the city, and say yes to new opportunities in my lab. In many ways, the experience of quickly adjusting to a new environment felt reminiscent of NSO at Penn.

In June, a cheap roundtrip flight and an itch to visit the beach compelled me to spontaneously book a solo weekend trip to Faro, Portugal. It was my first time traveling alone, for real. From exploring the historical monuments in the Old Town to boarding the ferry to the beach and taking a surfing lesson, it felt simultaneously freeing and scary to be on my own schedule. Spending three nights at a hostel also gave me the chance to spend time with strangers that I would have never met while traveling with friends.

This solo trip led me to realize that there are different aspects to being independent, which I found myself more intentionally trying to balance during the remainder of my time in Germany. I have always valued my independence as an outlet to relax and recharge, through simple habits such as running, cooking, and journaling. On the other hand, my independence also became a way to step into discomfort and embark on new adventures, both big (driving on the autobahn) and small (seeking out the hausmeister).

It has definitely taken a bit of practice, but this summer has helped me get better at doing things alone. While my time in Europe is over, I hope to continue to perfect this art on campus at Penn.