A person’s first semester of college is such a unique period of time. It ends almost as quickly as it started, but many look back on it with nostalgia. That newfound sense of independence with fresh faces and unfamiliar places only happens once. I could hardly believe it when that same feeling returned as I started my study abroad program in Spain. 

Our first day in Spain was a whirlwind of excitement, exhaustion, and nerves for everyone. Experiencing those initial introductions of sharing your name and major with everyone felt just like my first days in Oakland. I had never traveled abroad before and this similarity was wholly unexpected. Although, it was immensely important to hold on to that familiarity as this new group was our community for the next month. 

Speaking Spanish was something that had always primarily taken place in the classroom for me. Throwing myself into a Spanish-speaking country with a host that understood minimal English was a major leap outside of my comfort zone. I went into the program hoping that not only would my Spanish skills improve, but also my confidence in applying the language to daily life. I always carried a level of uncertainty when asked to speak Spanish without planning ahead of time. When starting this program, I was hopeful that the language would feel more natural with time as I practiced every day. However, it was difficult to even imagine myself getting to that level before I landed in Madrid. One month in Spain wasn’t going to make me fluent, but the constant exposure to Spanish helped me feel comfortable finding my independence with the language. Once impossible-feeling outings like grocery shopping and hailing taxis soon became less intimidating as I found my footing in Alcalá de Henares. Surrounding myself with the language also allowed me to remember how much I enjoy learning it!

Before starting this program, I also expected this experience to expand my typical planning style. My time in Spain was limited, and I knew that it was going to fly by no matter how much I packed into my schedule. While preparing to travel for the first time, I expected to gain a stronger sense of independence and decision making. For the next four weeks, I was going to make the most out of my time in Spain as I also learned how to rely on myself to figure out how to take every opportunity I could to love my experience here. Much like the beginning of college, there is an adjustment period of highs and lows, but you often exit that time wishing to experience it all over again.