What I Learned On My Gap Year Abroad

Hello! I’m Pluto, a gap year student studying abroad in Seville, Spain. As my program comes to an end, I can reflect on how I’ve grown and changed from this experience. I truly feel like I’m a different person in comparison to when I arrived and I now have the ability to face the next chapter of life with confidence. I’m excited to share about my journey and experience living here. There is so much to love not only about Seville and its amazing culture but the whole of Spain. In this blog, I will share what I learned on my gap year abroad.

Learning a New Language

One of the major goals of taking a gap year abroad is learning your target language...in my case, Spanish. After spending 8 months studying abroad, I can confidently say that I speak Spanish. I have been taking classes in a local language school and taking advantage of any opportunities to practice outside of school. I had the chance to learn grammar and writing at school and more casual speech at home. Everyone was patient, understanding, and very willing to help me practice, excited to share their language and culture.

Becoming Independent

Another thing I learned while studying abroad is how to really take care of myself and manage my own time and finances. Leading up to my gap year abroad, I worked to save up for any expenses I might have during my time there. Any events, activities, or trips I planned to take outside of CIEE were up to me to plan, organize, and pay for. It was a big adjustment suddenly having all this independence and responsibility, but it was absolutely worth it. It has instilled in me a new sense of confidence in myself and my choices.

Living Outside My Comfort Zone

The last major thing I learned was how to live outside my comfort zone. When I first arrived, it was almost like being thrown in the deep end, living in an entirely new country with a language that I was still new to learning. I had the support of CIEE staff, friends, and my host family to make my transition easier, but it was still completely outside my comfort zone or anything I had known or lived prior. I had to challenge myself every day to adjust and learn to exist in this new routine and culture. It was far from easy, but it was so rewarding, and I wouldn’t trade it for anything.

Taking a gap year abroad has been one of the most rewarding experiences of my life, and it’s something I will always cherish.

If you are interested in taking a Gap Year Abroad in Spain you can apply here or schedule a call with an Enrollment Coordinator to talk through any questions you may have.

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