Starting my studies at Thomas More was not part of my original plan. I had never imagined myself studying abroad. In fact, I was against the idea. I felt strongly connected to my home country, and leaving it behind seemed unnecessary and overwhelming. As a result, I started the International Communication and Media (ICM) programme with doubt, fear and discomfort.
After arriving in Belgium, I felt even more unsure about my decision. Everything was different: the people, the environment, the culture and so much more. It made me feel like an outsider struggling to find my place. Although I could speak English, I still felt misunderstood because I found it difficult to express myself in the way I intended. As a result, I hesitated to engage in conversations and participate in class.
My perspective started to shift through my experiences in ICM. Learning about concepts such as intercultural communication gave me a framework for better understanding what I was experiencing. I learned that communication depends not only on language but also on cultural context, values and implicit social norms. Differences in communication styles, such as directness, non-verbal cues and how meaning is interpreted, can lead to misunderstandings.
This insight helped me reinterpret many of my initial challenges and marked a turning point in my experience. Instead of seeing cultural differences as barriers, I began to approach them with curiosity and openness. My initial resistance started to decrease, and the international environment became an opportunity for learning and, especially, personal development.
Over time, this shift in perspective had a powerful impact on my confidence and communication skills. I am now more willing to engage in conversations, even in situations where I feel uncertain. What was initially a source of anxiety gradually became an area of growth.
Reflecting on this journey, I can clearly see how much I have progressed. Before starting ICM, I was resistant to studying abroad, afraid to communicate and hesitant about leaving my home. During my first experiences here, I felt like an outsider, struggled to adapt and began questioning my assumptions about communication. Now, I am more confident, open-minded and curious about cultural diversity.
In conclusion, the ICM programme has contributed not only to my academic development but also to a fundamental shift in my mindset. I no longer see communication as something straightforward. Instead, I understand it as a complex and powerful process that requires awareness, adaptability and cultural sensitivity. Being an international student is also no longer something I resist. It has become a meaningful and valuable experience in both my personal and academic development.