Ending of a New Experience – Cailey Bowles

Coming back to Texas after spending 28 days in Spain and being able to reflect on the experiences I have had has been eye-opening. In Spain, I got to experience many things that I had not had the pleasure to take part in before. I had never traveled abroad before. Never got to live in a different country and experience their lifestyle and culture up close before this trip.
This study abroad trip has taught me many things academically and culturally. I got to eat amazing food, travel throughout Spain with friends, and work with a Spanish Restaurant, Aitor Restaurant, on a project for the class. I learned how to communicate better on a team, have the opportunity to add this to my resume, and establish better critical thinking skills.
When I first started looking into doing a study abroad I mostly looked into where it was and if I was going to be able to have fun exploring with my friends when we were not in the classroom. However, after going on the trip I can say that everyone that wants to do a study abroad should do one even if it is going somewhere you are not sure about going.
I first signed up to go on the Finland study abroad then signed up for the Belgium one that then it got changed to going to Barcelona, Spain. I was not sure if I was going to like Barcelona; however, while being in Spain on this Study Abroad I learned it is more than where you go when you are on one. It is the ability to experience it with friends, be with fellow students that have a passion for learning, and having an excellent professor that is able to teach you in creative ways while learning abroad.
I was able to develop myself in so many different ways on this trip and have definitely become a better person, a better businesswoman, and a better student. Even though I did not learn as much Spanish as many of the other classmates on the trip I was able to effectively communicate in other ways to close the language barrier between me and the locals that did not know English. Being able to problem-solve, think critically, and able to work on a diverse team with many different people are skills I will be able to bring back to Texas A&M, Mays Business School, and take further into my future career.