Study Abroad

During the spring semester of 2025, I had the opportunity to study abroad in Alicante, Spain. This experience pushed me far outside of my comfort zone, but it quickly became one of the most influential and meaningful periods of my life. When I first arrived, I did not know anyone personally, although I knew a few students from my college would also be participating in the program. Even with that knowledge, stepping into a completely new country, culture, and daily routine without the comfort of home was intimidating. From the very beginning, I realized that the next five months would challenge me in ways I had never experienced before. Instead of letting the nerves control my experience, I tried to make the most of the situation by introducing myself to new people, creating a routine, and allowing myself to be open to the unfamiliar.

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One of the most special parts of my time in Spain was living with a host family. I was fortunate enough to stay with a family that had a nine-year-old son, and he brought so much life, humor, and joy into the home. Living with them gave me a deeper understanding of Spanish culture, family dynamics, and everyday life in Alicante. It also helped me improve my Spanish in a way that felt natural and personal. More than anything, my host family became a source of comfort during a time when I was adjusting to so much change. I am grateful that I am still in contact with them today, because they were such an important part of making Alicante feel like a second home.

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Throughout the semester, I learned that I was capable of much more than I had originally believed. I became more independent, more confident, and more willing to put myself in situations that were difficult but ultimately rewarding. Some of the best memories I have from the semester came from the friendships and relationships I built. The people I met helped shape my experience, and many of those relationships are ones I will carry with me long after the program ended. I also learned that growth often comes from being uncomfortable at first. Sometimes, placing yourself in a challenging environment is exactly what allows you to discover who you are and what you are capable of becoming. Another major highlight of my semester was my internship at the Centro Superior de Idiomas at the University of Alicante. Through this internship, I gained valuable professional experience in translation, office operations, communication, and marketing information to international students. I was able to see how a professional environment operates in another country, which gave me a new perspective on workplace culture and international communication. Since my major is connected to international business, this experience was especially meaningful because it allowed me to apply what I have learned in the classroom to a real-world setting. I also participated in outside activities through the program, such as cooking classes, city tours, and cultural events, which helped me feel more connected to Alicante and the community around me.

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Aside from school, I took advantage of the opportunity to travel throughout Europe and beyond. Over the semester, I visited places such as Finland, Morocco, Milan, other parts of Spain, Hungary, Amsterdam, Switzerland, Germany, and Greece. Traveling taught me the importance of preparation, flexibility, patience, and cultural awareness. Each destination taught me something different, whether it was through the food, history, architecture, language, or everyday interactions with people. I was able to experience things I had only dreamed of before, such as attending Springfest in Germany, seeing the tulips in the Netherlands, riding a camel in Morocco, visiting La Sagrada Familia in Barcelona, seeing the Duomo in Milan, and cold plunging in Finland. These experiences reminded me how much there is to learn from the world when you are willing to be present and open-minded.

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Even though the semester was filled with incredible memories, it was not always easy. There were moments when I dealt with homesickness, safety concerns, travel plans falling through, and the realization that I was a foreigner in certain situations. At times, it was difficult being so far from my family, friends, and familiar routines. However, looking back, those harder moments were some of the most important parts of the experience. They taught me how to stay calm, problem-solve, and rely on myself. I learned that when things do not go as planned, you can either let the situation hold you back or use it as an opportunity to grow.

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One of the biggest lessons I took away from my time abroad was the cultural difference between life in the United States and life in Spain. In my classes, we often discussed the idea that Americans tend to “live to work,” while people in Spain often “work to live.” This difference became very clear to me in daily life. In Spain, there seemed to be a greater emphasis on being present, spending time with others, and enjoying life outside of work. It was common to see people out late at night, eating together, walking through the streets, and enjoying one another’s company. This slower and more intentional pace of life shifted my perspective. It made me think more deeply about balance, priorities, and what it means to truly enjoy the life you are living.

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By the time I returned home, I knew that I had changed in many ways. I came back more independent, more culturally aware, and more confident in my ability to handle unfamiliar situations. Studying abroad gave me tools that I will carry with me for the rest of my life, both personally and professionally. It also confirmed my desire to work in an international setting one day. I want to be involved in a career that allows me to continue engaging with different cultures, traveling, communicating across borders, and building relationships with people from around the world.

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My semester abroad in Alicante completely changed my life for the better. It gave me friendships, professional experience, cultural understanding, and memories that I will never forget. Alicante will always hold a special place in my heart because it represents a time in my life when I grew, challenged myself, and became more confident in who I am. The countries I explored, the people I met, the host family I lived with, and the professional skills I developed are not things that will fade with time. They are experiences that will stay with me and continue shaping who I am for the rest of my life.