Isabella Anzideo, IES Barcelona Spring 2025
There are so many things I could say but the most important piece of advice I think I can give and what helped me the most is to approach everything with an open mind and a willingness to be uncomfortable and try new things. You have so many expectations going abroad and things you want to do and sometimes those things might keep you from trying something new. Study abroad will be the best experience but there will also be moments where you are uncomfortable like navigating unfamiliar public transportations or trying to have a conversation that isn’t your own language but embrace it all. Some of my best and favorite moments from abroad are when I stepped out of my comfort zone and tried something new. Studying abroad allowed me to be okay and embrace the uncomfortable. Embrace every new thing you encounter and say yes to spontaneous plans- travel to a new place, try a new food, meet new friends and step out of your comfort zone. You are experiencing a once in a lifetime opportunity and you need to take advantage of this time. Every interaction is an opportunity to learn and from each interaction you will grow. Embrace everything and say yes but also be intentional with your time. The time you have abroad is limited and spend your time wisely doing the things you want to do. Your time abroad will fly by so soak up every moment. Enjoy the little moments also like getting a coffee at a new cafe or strolling around the city, the little things will make you feel more connected to your host city. And lastly, document everything. I recommend keeping a journal and lots of pictures to look back on and remember all the big and little moments. You will want to remember everything.
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