5 Biggest Changes I’ve Noticed in Myself Since Returning from Spain 

This post was written by CIEE Global Navigator alum Beatrix D. from Massachusetts who participated in the Global Navigator Marketing Internship in spring of 2025.

I don’t think I’ve ever cried harder than in the airport leaving Sevilla. My high school study abroad program was only a trimester, but I’ll carry the experiences and memories with me forever. It taught me so much about myself and the world, so here are the 5 biggest changes I've noticed in myself since my return from Spain!  

1. Getting Comfortable With Being Uncomfortable 

I knew from the jump that studying abroad would lead me into unfamiliar situations, which I then in turn had to learn to navigate.  

After months of being constantly pushed out of my comfort zone, I got used to unexpected situations, whether that was meeting new people at my host school, exploring the town of Cadiz on a CIEE excursion, or adjusting to a different routine.  

That ability to adapt has stayed with me, making me more confident in embracing new environments.  

2. Global Awareness 

Growing up Canadian-American, I’ve always valued being able to experience and learn about different cultures. My time abroad ballooned that appreciation onto a much wider scale, and now I find myself so much more excited about exploring new countries and expanding my global understanding.  

3. Communication and Confidence 

Regularly meeting new people in a range of different settings, from my tablemates in history class to Emir from the kebab store, helped me improve my communication skills, forming unexpected connections in a language that wasn’t my native one.  

I’ve noticed myself being more open to putting myself out there and talking to new people, which is something I would have been too shy to do a year ago! 

4. Staying in The Moment 

Living in Spain helped me realize the importance of enjoying life in the moment, focusing on the experiences and relationships I make while I have them.  

Memories like laughing on the bus rides into Sevilla with my friend Eva, and making tiramisu with my host sister, Ainara, are now what I look back on and smile at, small moments that felt like just another day when I lived them.  

The idea of slowing down and taking it all in has helped shape my mindset coming back, and I’ve become more appreciative of those little moments.  

5. My Priorities for the Future 

Part of why I wanted to study abroad to begin with was because I was looking to find a purpose and wanted a complete restart in order to orient myself again.  

My experience in Sevilla made me realize the value of a multicultural and multilingual world and what it meant for me as a young person. That idea has reshaped what I’m looking for going forward, especially as part of my college search, so I’m excited to see where it takes me!  

I have grown so much throughout my experience abroad, and even more in the time since then.  

Now, have you been thinking about how to study abroad in high school? Are you looking for a student travel opportunity?  Learn more about the experience of a lifetime during a semester of high school abroad!