It takes time to accept a diagnosis, sometimes it takes people longer than others which is okay. It's great that you are more stable with meds and hopefully you continue your regiment. Get to know your patterns better and try to accommodate yourself when needed such as in college. Don't let one episode ruin your dreams, you can still go abroad if you are in remission (not manic or hypomanic) and have good coping skills. Therapy helps a lot and hopefully you will like it as time progresses. If you don't like your therapist you can always switch to a new one. Meds are quite helpful and have changed many people's lives for the better, but some people can function well without them by using coping skills such as CBT and DBT.

It took me 5 years to accept my diagnoses and to get treatment for them. I'm functioning much better now and I'm on honor in college plus I'm more physically active