I went to Prague this summer. It was great, but I had a hypomanic episode and then a depressive episode. I was sad and very anxious the whole time. However, I still met lovely people and learned so much about myself. I learned that my mental health was preventing me from accomplishing my dream to live abroad. That prompted me to get more help when I moved back to the states. I was afterwards diagnosed with Cyclothymia and BPD, which really helped me understand why things were harder for me and helped me to understand how to be more stable. In addition, in Prague, I often felt isolated and anxious because I was hanging out with people that weren't good for me and drinking all of the time because that is what everyone else was doing. I learned to step back and do what I want. I learned lots of skills to help me acclimate to a new country. I have had two Ts tell me that I will be happier in a bigger city and that staying in my college town will deteriorate my mental health.

I don't think that anyone can learn if they stay in a box. My family doesn't know about my disorders (besides anxiety) and is not the type of family that could support me in that regard anyway. What I need to do (I think) is do what I want, but keep my mental state in mind so that I won't needlessly suffer.