Beyond the Bucket List
Practical Lessons from Study Abroad
This past spring, I traded Lowcountry living for a Mediterranean metropolis. In January, I packed my bags and began my semester in Barcelona, Spain. For five months, my life would be an adventure in an unexplored country thousands of miles away from what I’ve always known. These are the lasting lessons that I carried home with me, and I hope that students embarking on their own study abroad journeys in the upcoming semester will take these to heart.
Extraordinary is right outside your door.
When I landed in Barcelona, I felt an energizing yet uncertain feeling come over me. A feeling I would soon learn to be the heart of my study abroad experience.
Studying abroad has become a chapter of my life encapsulated by overwhelming emotions, spontaneous weekend travel, and a surge of personal growth. From experiencing my first Premier League match in London, to cruising down the Danube River in Budapest, to finally seeing Paris in the springtime, I was excited to be crossing off bucket list moments I had once only dreamed about. As memorable as those moments were, as I reflect on my time in Barcelona, I realize my most meaningful experiences were right outside my apartment door.
My roommates and I lived in the iconic Eixample neighborhood, known for its eclectic architecture and endless collection of tapas bars and cafes. The neighborhood felt alive. Cafe conversations spilled outside into the streets, and strolls down the modernist avenues seemed to linger on for hours. It was a place one didn’t just live in, but rather belonged to. As complete strangers to the city, my roommates and I spent our first weeks aimlessly exploring, in search of something familiar. The overwhelming excitement of first arriving abroad began to turn into exhilaration. Everything was new, everything was uncertain.
Embrace situations or conversations that may feel uncomfortable.
Barriers in language, culture, or just social norms can seem intimidating, but something as simple as ordering your morning coffee can become the first step towards familiarizing yourself with locals.
I became a regular at the neighborhood coffee shop. The baristas witnessed my first attempt ordering my coffee in Spanish, listening patiently as I stuttered through my words. Each attempt came with polite critiques and a little embarrassment. Yet this small, daily interaction became something greater, making a foreign city start to feel like home. I became comfortable with trying, and more importantly, comfortable with messing up. The baristas became friends, greeting my roommates and me each morning with our large order of lattes upon arrival.
Truly immerse yourself in the culture.
Acting less like a spectator and more like a participant offered a glimpse into the heart and soul of the city. Experiencing the vibrant celebrations of Sant Jordi or neighborhood celebrations was among my most gratifying moments abroad. As I traveled through Europe, I carried this mindset with me, embracing each location’s uniqueness.
What was my biggest takeaway from the study abroad experience?
Studying abroad provided me with the opportunity to develop a greater sense of independence, explore new cultures, and navigate life in a new environment. I encourage students studying abroad to think beyond the bucket list and step into this experience, fully embracing the meaningful experiences that can be found in the most everyday interactions. From those conversations in my neighborhood to traveling to over 7 countries, this experience encouraged me to challenge myself, foster meaningful connections with others, and embrace the unknown!
