By Taylor, High School Abroad England Spring 2026
Taylor is a First Time Traveler Scholarship recipient who traveled to England with Greenheart Travel’s High School Abroad in England Program! She spent two months over the summer working on her Spanish, attending a local high school in Costa Rica, and making new friends – both humans and animals! Keep reading to hear more about her experience and what daily life looks like as High School Abroad student in Costa Rica…
Navigating life as an Exchange student alone in a different country is already difficult enough. But being a student with a chronic illness makes it even more difficult. Doctors’ appointments, physical and mental exhaustion, and keeping up with medications etc. can separate you from your experience and can be hard to deal with especially if this is your first time alone.
Even before coming to the UK there is so much preparation that goes into it. Getting a good doctor in both parts of the world, preparing all my information that they might need, making sure I was knowledgeable enough so I could deal with appointments by myself and achieving remission all in the 5 months we had before I left.
Chronic illness is already hard. But being in another country with potential triggers, like stress and exhaustion, and new doctors that don’t know all of your history can lead to miscommunications and frustration for everyone involved. For example, my doctor, Greenheart Program Manager, and host mom were all trying to be helpful and understand my condition but it was hard to communicate sometimes.
This is why learning how to advocate for yourself is so important. Fatigue and pain are things that need to be taken seriously, if you can’t do something you need to learn to say no. It’s not rude, or disrespectful to say no if you need a break. You can always do it another time! Also advocating for your health to doctors and other adults at school or within the sending organization. You need to explain to them how they can best help and support you at all times and continually communicate these needs as they evolve.
You need support from all around to go across the world by yourself. It is extra crucial for chronically ill teens. Support is the key to thriving in a different country. Support from back home to actually take the steps in this process, support from your local coordinator and host family to figure life out and work out slight issues if they arise, and support from friends both back home and in your host country! Support is what makes things like this happen and having people behind you to help is necessary.
However, even with all the things that may be difficult and frustrating, there is so much good! If you know yourself and your body, you can navigate everything effectively! As long as you’re getting enough rest and doing everything you need to, you can avoid flares and go out to explore!
All of these things can seem very discouraging, like maybe you won’t get the most out of your experience. But I don’t see it that way. I have still had a wonderful experience. Going to London and on other day trips, shopping, and even lunch with a friend or finding a little ice cream shop near you are all so unique and stuff that wouldn’t have happened without this experience and the people supporting me. I have made so many lifelong friendships, learned so much about myself and others cultures, and have had an experience of a lifetime! I recommend it to anyone and everyone!
Thanks for giving us a peak into your life abroad, Brooklyn!
Ready to change up your routine and try out daily life in another country? Click on these links to learn more about Greenheart’s High School Abroad programs and scholarship opportunities.