Hola! My semester abroad, for lack of more creative words, flew by. It seems like it has only been a week since I came to Spain, and now it is time to go back. A few final reflections:
- Spanish final exam season takes time. There was a week and a half between my last day of class and my first final exam. Every final exam is cumulative, so that was a bit of a commitment of my time and energy, but it was worth it.
- I can now proudly say (and brag) that I have experienced a different country’s lifestyle, culture, and vibe. Living in Spain for the past 6 months has been magical but also eye-opening and educating. I’ve learned to appreciate the things that may not seem grand at first such as the commute to school, taking a walk in between classes, and getting coffee in the cafeteria. In other words, “taking it slow.”
- My initial impressions of Spain turned out to be pretty accurate. Nothing is ever “that serious,” dinner is still eaten pretty late, and leisure tends to be highly prioritized. I think I appreciate a bit more because of how vastly different the environment and culture is compared to that of America.
There are simply not enough words to describe how transforming and amazing my experience living abroad was. I highly recommend any study abroad experience, if possible, because it opens new perspectives and forces you to adapt and learn what it is like to live in a different culture. I am very grateful to Mays Business School and CIBS that provided this opportunity that I will reflect on for quite literally the rest of my life.
Hasta luego!