Lessons learnt

Reflecting the last 16 months in Europe, here are some of the significant lessons which I have learnt:

1)I have the opportunity to benchmark my professional and academic skills.
2)Personal development. I learnt more about myself and from my course mates. I’ve learnt that each one of us is unique and each of us has our own strengths and weaknesses that could complement each other.
3)I did my first thesis in Europe. I’ve learnt to see things from a consultant perspective through my thesis partner.
4)I am more open and well-rounded, with an international perspective. I am inspired by the skills-both technical and soft skills, the poise and charm of my lecturers and some classmates.
5)I have learnt to leave luxurious indulgences and the comfort of home-massage and facial, convenience (transport), well paying job for a student life in Europe. I do appreciate the finer things in life.
6)Career and money are not everything. A well balanced life along with friendships, warmth of families and loved ones are something that money can never buy.I value humanity more.
7)I love nature, art and history even more. Traveling to the UNESCO sites (thanks to B) and staying in small cities like Umea and Edinburgh gave me a sense of peace, culture and human empathy.
8)Living in big cities like Milan gave me a good insight of a metropolitan life.
9)I have learnt the differences between business vs academic writing, my English writing skills has improved.
10)A chance to learn Italian and Swedish. I would not take any credit of being able to converse fluently but at least I have learnt to differentiate these languages ;)
11)A chance to get a taste of staying, living and traveling in several sides of Europe: Eastern, Central, Western, Scandinavia and Island (UK).

One thing for sure, I will not trade these 16 months for anything else. It was all worth it. It was like a dream come true. Today, as I reflect, it was as if yesterday that my journey has just begun. How time flies...