My Time in Barcelona

By: Emmelina Clark

Studying abroad is a once-in-a-lifetime experience— My mom has talked about her abroad experience since I was a child. It is something I had dreamed about for years, So when I was accepted into the program, I knew I could not let this opportunity run away. While so much of my experience as felt like a dream, I do think it is important to touch on the negative side; because, no picture is perfect! While this is experience has been beautiful and exciting, the truth is, studying abroad is not always easy

Often times we romanticize what it means to live in another country through media, blogs, and verbal communication. People often times romanticize the travel, the culture, the food, the independence. And while all of those things are amazing, not many people talk about the hard parts— such as culture shock, struggling to adapt, missing home and your daily routines. I definitely felt all of that at different points during my time in Barcelona.

That being said, here is what I have learned: if you fully commit yourself to the experience, if you lean in instead of pulling away, it becomes one of the most rewarding things you’ll ever do!

This semester abroad pushed me in ways I wasn’t expecting. I’ve grown so much—my self-confidence, my independence, my understanding of different cultures, as well as a deeper understanding of my own culture. I have also learned so much about who I am as a person, in terms of morals, and how I relate and connect to my culture. learned how to navigate a new city, how to make connections with people from all over the world, and how to find a new daily routine far from home, as well as how to live a peaceful life in a hectic routine (the reality of traveling on the weekends “if you know you know” !). 

I have also been lucky enough to have had the chance to travel beyond Barcelona, I’ve had the chance to travel and explore cities that I have always dreamt of visiting; such as, London, Milan, Florence, Valencia, and Sitges. Each place I have created memories of a lifetime: to cooking classes in Florence, and sprinting in the cold to see the Eiffel Tower twinkle from thousands of lights. Each destination has also helped me broaden my understanding of different cultures, as well as teach me something new about myself.  Travel isn’t just about ticking of a checkmark on a list, it is about learning to become adaptable to change, to push yourself out of your comfort zone, and to broaden your understanding of the world and differing cultures. 

One of the best things that has come from this experience has been the friendships that I made. There's something about meeting people while you’re all out of your element that bonds you so quickly and deeply. Whether it was exploring new cities, cooking together in our apartment, dinner dates, enjoying tapas and a drink, going dancing at night, or simply getting lost in the metro, these memories have become the foundation for friendships that will last no matter the distance or time.

I am endlessly thankful for this opportunity and the experiences that I have been privalaged and lucky enough to have been a part of. This opportunity has challenged me to grow and understand myself more, as well as given me memories of a lifetime. I know when I look back on my collage years, this will be one of the brightest of highlights; and I too hope to nonstop talk to my children about my study abroad semester in Barcelona! 

EXPLORE BARCELONA