How Studying Abroad Changed My Life

I never quite imagined myself eating tomato and garlic rubbed on toast for breakfast. When I look back on it now, the idea of eating something unusual for me is indicative of how the CIEE program abroad in Sevilla, Spain, has changed my life. Trying something new used to make me anxious. But during the course of my experience studying abroad, pushing boundaries and doing new things became so frequent, it turned into a habit. And from this newfound mindset, experiencing new things has become addictive.   

A series of firsts

From the initial steps in filling out my CIEE application through to eating churros dipped in chocolate in the Malaga Christmas Market, I have lost count of the firsts that I experienced in those months. Much of that can be attributed to finding myself in new environments, allowing me to develop the skills to adapt quickly. I can still remember how I felt on the first day in my host school: nervous yet fascinated. The different classroom expectations, making friends, and the informal dynamic between teachers and students were surprising at first, but by putting my newfound strengths into practice, it soon became my new normal. Patience, observation and flexibility were the three most important skills that I worked on a daily basis.   

¡No ni ná quillo!

I was lucky to come into this experience fluent in Spanish, so I was able to focus on my goal of learning the more nuanced regional aspects of dialect and local expressions. Spanish is an incredibly varied language, and you will find different accents and slang even in neighboring regions. I like to say my language skills have expanded horizontally, not just vertically, since I have learned so much colloquial vocabulary and purely local small-town Sevillan phrases. Paper is folio (not just papel), “illo” is like “bro”, and “no ni ná” means “of course”, for example. Now that I’m back, I love watching Spanish shows (my personal favorite: Elite or Casa de Papel) and understanding references or recognizing expressions so obscure that they would never be taught in school.  

A week of museum visits

True appreciation for a country’s culture doesn’t just come from admiration of its impressive sites, of which Sevilla has plenty.  What really changed my life came more from the small moments in my day-to-day life and what would typically be considered banal. Spain, of course, has an array of museums with spectacular works of art, gorgeous cathedrals and palaces dripping in detail. But what will stick with me is the memory of watching my host sister, Ainara, at her soccer practice, or going grocery shopping on a Wednesday night and finding my new favorite brand of yogurt. Turning on the radio and hearing flamenco instead of pop or playing hangman on the whiteboard in history class was just as meaningful as a week of museum visits. My host town of Villanueva del Ariscal was certainly not the most glamorous in southern Spain, but that’s what made the experience even more real. Once you fall in love with the charm that can only be found in the mundane, you gain a real appreciation of this adventure, because it’s not about what’s dazzling… it’s about the connections you make and the small moments. That realization has changed my perspective on the real value of this experience, and I will carry it with me forever. 

Tabs on my computer

Going forward, I now find myself constantly drifting toward possibilities of travel and international adventures. There are too many tabs open on my computer that have something to do with living abroad, gap year websites, visa processes, Eurail trip planning, or interesting volunteering opportunities. CIEE opened my eyes to paths I hadn’t previously thought of as part of my future and the options of what else is out there. As a junior in my spring semester, I am turning my attention to college applications and evaluating what I want to do with the rest of my life. While there is a lot left to figure out, I am considering taking a gap year and committed to finding universities that encourage study abroad programs, leaving room for even more exploration of both the world and myself. I will be proud to carry with me not just the memories, but the lessons CIEE has given me of openness to experiences and a genuine need to soak them up.