Initially, I was nervous about going on a study abroad trip over the summer. I have been to Spain before, but I was uncertain about studying for classes, getting around the city, and being so far from home. However now that the program is over, I can confidently say this has been one of the most amazing experiences I have had in college and one of the best decisions I have made.
During the month I had in Spain, one thing I learned about myself is that I genuinely like learning about different cultures and I’m proud of myself that I made the most out of my time abroad. Whenever there were plans to go somewhere, I would always make myself go (even if I was exhausted) and I would end up having so much fun. Whenever we would go on the group trips or to places we planned ourselves, I would always make sure to take a ton of pictures, learn as much as possible, and be present in the moment. Besides taking pictures and texting friends and family back home, I would rarely be on my phone to really enjoy the beauty and details around me.
What I would want to tell an Aggie who is considering taking a CIBS study abroad in Spain is to do it! Even if you have doubts about spending a summer or even a semester in another country, it is a once in a lifetime experience that I will never regret. Studying abroad in general is something I strongly advocate for, but especially going to Spain. My time in Barcelona was amazing and there was so much to do and see. There were a couple weekend trips we planned to other areas of Spain but even the days we had free to explore Barcelona were beautiful. There are so many restaurants, cultures, people, and tourist attractions to encounter and appreciate.
There are a million fun things we did that I would highly recommend. Firstly, going on a day trip to Costa Brava and enjoying the beach and gardens is a must. I would also highly suggest going to Ibiza, especially if you are studying abroad during the summer. There is a good chance Calvin Harris and David Guetta will be there DJing as well. As for around Barcelona, visiting Gothic Square and Las Ramblas was filled with good food and a lot of shopping. My friends and I went three times, and we never ran out of things to do. Trying new foods is also important when visiting Spain! Patatas bravas, duck paella, ham and cheese croquettes, and bocadillos were some of my favorites.
The most important piece of advice I would give someone studying abroad is to make the most of it. There will be times when you are exhausted and just want to stay in, but you never know when you will have the opportunity to go back. During our study abroad program we were constantly moving and had a ton of activities all the time. Initially, it was really tiring, but now looking back, I am glad we got to do and see so much because I really felt like I was fully immersed in the Spanish culture. I loved my time abroad and cannot wait to hopefully go back in the future.
