The value of “Time” while Abroad

“Time waits for no one”

Now that I am back in my own state, the biggest takeaway from having to leave my time abroad early, was the concept of time. It is very true how you don’t really truly appreciate something until it is no longer with you. I am still really bumped out about being sent home only two months into my program. I know it was for the greater good but I also had big plans for myself to just grow as a worker/student. I was ready to see the world and have the semester that I worked so hard for. Unfortunately, no one could have seen this pandemic coming at such an aggressive rate. Therefore, I want to give advice to any study abroad students fro next semester or even next year. You do not know what can happen in life so start saying “yes” more often! (-:

I would make sure that you see all the tourist attractions upon your very first weeks when you arrive in Barcelona because then that leaves you room to explore cities outside of Barcelona or even outside of Spain. I was lucky enough to be able to cross of most of the spots that I for sure wanted to go see. First you have La Sagrada Familia, Tibidabo (highest church in Barcelona), Park Guell, Picasso museum, etc. These are all very beautiful places that you can visit on a day trip throughout the week. These places are not like any other at least back in the United States. You start to noticed just how bland your own country is because of the different and plentiful art around Spain. It is so beautiful and all the buildings and even the parks are all designed so intricately. The street art is even fascinating to look at. I walked through a skate park where every week a new person paints over an old wall and creates new content. They all take turns and each painting is so different from the next and it’s like awaiting a surprise every week. I really enjoyed just walking around Barcelona and enjoying just how different it is from the United States. You never know what can happen so make sure you are open minded to trying new things and just walking around and soaking up the city life.

You really grow as a person while you are aboard and I think a lot of students should strive to grow as a person especially while away from friends and family. It helps to separate yourself from their image. You are now surrounded by new people and new places you are free to grow and learn somethings about yourself. This is also a great opportunity to get an insight on how international students feel or maybe your own parents. This trip helped me better my personal skills and I have talked to a wide arrange of new people from all different backgrounds. It is fascinating to see just how different a culture is than your own. I really appreciated the time I got there and I know if I was given the chance to finish my program that I would have came back home to a much more rejuvenated student.

My last piece of advice will be make sure you take the time to travel around Europe but also make sure to know your own country well too!