As I sit and reflect on my time abroad, I am so grateful for the opportunity to live a different lifestyle and immerse myself in another culture for a short period of time. It is safe to say that I will miss Barcelona deeply, and it has a special place in my heart. I have grown so much on this trip, and I am excited to share my experience abroad with others. If you are thinking about studying abroad, here are some tips that I’ve learned from my few weeks in Spain:
1. Embrace the Unknown
I was nervous about going to Spain before the program started. I was worried about navigating everyday life abroad, I was concerned about cramming two classes in four weeks, and I was nervous about making new friends. Yet I knew that I really wanted to have the opportunity to study abroad. Being able to live in another country for four weeks is such a unique experience, and I was worried that the opportunity might not present itself again later in my life. I’m glad I pushed through my nerves, as I saw so many beautiful sights and met so many amazing people in Spain. Nerves are completely normal in a new situation, but they shouldn’t dictate your experiences. Being flexible and open to change is really helpful for being in a new city. It takes some time, but you will find your routine and get adapted to how different aspects of the city work.
2. Go Out and Try All of The Cuisine
Spanish cuisine is absolutely delicious! I had so many tapas when I was abroad, and they were such a great addition to a sit-down meal. My favorites were patatas bravas, Spanish omelets, and croquetas (I am currently feeling a withdrawal from Spanish omelets as I am writing this blog post). Also, you should definitely try paella if you’re going to Barcelona. It is a rice dish with different vegetables, meat, or seafood depending on the type you order. However, being abroad for four weeks meant that it would be too expensive for me to eat out for every meal. With this in mind, you should also look for different snacks and desserts in Spanish grocery stores that you might not find in America. I became slightly obsessed with Milka chocolate bars and Nutella biscuits. Even some of the professors loved these sweet treats. You should ask Dr. McFarland his opinion on Nutella biscuits if you ever get the chance…
3. Take Advantage of Public Transportation
Barcelona has a well-thought-out grid system and is a very walkable city. However, while you will be walking a lot, not all places are within walking distance. Luckily, Barcelona has an efficient public transportation system. We had a metro pass with unlimited trips on the metro line, and it was so helpful. The metro was also well laid out and user-friendly for people who had not used the metro before. While I did end up going on the wrong metro line once, navigating the city was much easier than I expected. You might also see different music artists on the subway and enjoy some music on the way to your destination. I will miss being able to not depend on my car to get around a city, as well as being in a city that is easily walkable. I highly recommend using the metro – you will save so much money by taking the metro rather than trying to take an Uber or taxi to your destination.
4. Use Your Free Weekends to Travel and Explore
Some of my favorite memories from my trip were when I was able to explore Spain on the weekends. One of my biggest regrets from my trip was not going to Costa Brava the first weekend with a big group of students on the trip. I saw pictures and heard about everyone’s experience, and I definitely feel like I missed out. I used the following weekends to travel to Madrid and explore central Barcelona. I was able to see the Opera House in Madrid, a flamenco show, the Palace of Catalan Music, and the Gothic Quarter in Barcelona. I had such an amazing time, and it helped me to get to know people on the trip better as well.
5. It’s Okay to be Homesick
I will admit that as much as I loved my experience abroad, I got homesick on multiple occasions. It’s completely normal to miss the comforts of home while you are navigating a new city. However, you don’t have to let homesickness deter you from having a good time. Call your parents and friends at home because I’m sure they will love to hear from you and see how you’re doing. Also, there is absolutely no shame in eating fast food while you are abroad. I saw multiple Burger Kings, McDonalds, and Five Guys while I was in Spain. Even though I encouraged trying Spanish cuisine in tip #2, eating a meal or two from fast food places helped me when I missed American cuisine. Just be sure to explore the city and make the most of your experience when you are able to overcome moments of homesickness.
6. You Will Become Independent and Ready to Take on Any Challenge in the Future
No one’s experience is the same, but everyone can make the most of their time abroad. This was such an eye-opening experience in terms of responsibility and being independent. I was scared to take the metro alone on the first day of class, but I was able to get on the right line and get where I needed to go. Also, planning weekend excursions are completely up to the students, and I felt so accomplished being able to book a train and a hotel with my group. I feel as if I can handle any type of travel issues now. My flight was delayed over 20 hours, and I had a mini panic session about being trapped in Barcelona with no way home. Fortunately, I was able to call my parents about the situation, book a hotel, and get on the rescheduled flight home with no issues. No study abroad is perfect, and you will likely run into issues while you are away from home. However, you will gain the ability to become more independent and solve any problems that arise.
If you are able, studying abroad will be one of the best decisions you can make for yourself. Not only have I grown in my cultural and global knowledge, but I have also grown in my ability to be independent and believe in myself to take on any challenge that comes my way. It is such an
amazing experience that leaves you with so many memories, friends, and growth within yourself.
