Studying overseas can be a daunting task: being away from home where people are speaking a foreign language, and becoming immersed in an entirely different culture. But when I look back on this experience, I see the risk that I took as the defining moment for my future.
This past summer I stayed at an international school in Barcelona called El Camino for three weeks. I lived in an apartment with six other suite mates from all over the world, and by the end of the trip I had made tighter connections with these new friends than I had ever found before.
Being in an environment where you’re not only challenged in the classroom, but also in the city’s environment, is where the true learning experience is.
I was not only forever changed through gaining more independence and maturity, but also because I came back with a more open mind and curiosity about the world.
Our weekdays consisted of two 1 ½ hour long classes that ended at 2:30, and then the afternoon was free for exploring the city, taking a train to the small towns on the outskirts, or venturing to the beautiful Mediterranean coast.
Weekends consisted of taking optional class trips, or enjoying the vivacious nightlife with friends. Some nights were spent with classmates gathering around a restaurant table and eating tapas until two in the morning, swapping travel stories, bantering in other languages, or teaching each other about our own cultures.
Since returning home, I still keep in contact with many of the people I met at the school and we even discuss plans to meet back at the school next summer! This great experience has also encouraged me to look into attending colleges overseas.
Because of all the excitement, I found I was never homesick and it was great to feel I could belong in an environment with so much diversity and inspiration. I encourage studying abroad to anyone that has even the slightest interest.
You might be surprised to see what you’re capable of and what you learn about yourself.
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