3 Lessons I Learned in Barcelona and Brought to NYU
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Post written by CIEE Global Navigator alum Sally B. who participated in the Global Navigator Marketing Internship in spring of 2025. She is now in college at New York University.
Jumping straight from high school to study in a foreign country was a spontaneous and terrifying decision. But spending my first semester abroad changed me in so many positive ways, and as a freshman at NYU, I can still feel the lessons learned and strengths I gained in Barcelona every day.
Self-Advocacy
Before arriving in Barcelona, I struggled with independence. I’ve grown up as a chronic overthinker and hate confrontation. But 3 months on my own in a foreign country pushed me out of my shell.
My host mom, Montse, spoke zero English and I was forced to learn a lot of Spanish very early on. My housemate and I had to communicate effectively with her about things like what times we would be leaving/coming home and everyday things like laundry and dinner.
I quickly learned to communicate my needs and ask for help, not only with my host but also with teachers at CIEE. They fostered a welcoming community, but I was responsible for holding myself accountable. When I wanted to vote in the presidential election, I had to ask for help from CIEE staff, and figure out how to mail my vote through the post office.
Learning to be assertive and responsible for my own needs was challenging in a foreign country, especially because a lot of it was in an unfamiliar language.
Now at NYU, I find that despite being at a relatively prestigious and rigorous school, I seem to be ahead of many of my fellow freshmen in terms of independence. While incredibly smart and interesting people, many of my friends do not share the confident, problem-solving mentality that I gained through my experiences in my first semester.
Without having taken that first brave step straight from high school to abroad, I would not be the successful and independent student I am right now.
Public Transportation/Navigation
If you've ever been to Austin, Texas, the city where I grew up, you know that public transportation there is practically nonexistent. Trains are unheard of and you might be better off walking than taking the city bus. Needless to say, I’ve spent almost all of my life using a car to get where I need to go.
Arriving in Barcelona, it was a huge adjustment for me to learn the mystical ways of public transport. After a few weeks of struggling to navigate the Barcelona Metro, I was able to get the hang of it.
I can now read a subway map and understand that every line goes two directions (something I never would have thought about before). After my struggle with figuring out an entire train system in Spanish, riding the New York subway seems like a breeze in comparison.
Cultural Awareness
Living in Barcelona, I became very comfortable very quickly with being around people who are culturally different from me.
In the beginning, I felt self-conscious and out of place. Having to live with someone who doesn't speak my language was incredibly challenging at first. I felt overwhelmed and alone, but I quickly realized that even though I was surrounded by people whose words I could barely understand, I was enveloped into a community that was so incredibly welcoming and helpful that the language barrier hardly mattered.
Now at NYU, I have two Chinese roommates. They regularly host small get-togethers with other Chinese students in our dorm. At these functions, I'm almost always the only non-Chinese person there, and I find myself once again being surrounded by conversations I can't understand.
This now-familiar scenario doesn't bother me as much as it did when I first arrived in Barcelona. I've been easily able to adapt to these cultural differences and get along with my roommates very well. They make efforts to include me and translate their conversations, and I can always enjoy the good food they make.
Want to gain the same incredible experiences that I did? Apply now to start college abroad in an amazing new place.