In the Spring semester of 2024, I studied abroad in Santiago de Compostela, Spain and experienced life-changing realizations. As a Spanish and International Business student, studying abroad was a requirement to complete my degree. While this would be exciting for many students, I was anxious about leaving my comfort zone, family, and school for 4 months and even considered changing my major to avoid this requirement. If it weren't for the family and friends who supported and encouraged me to experience this amazing opportunity, I would not be the person I am today. Staying with a host family and immersing myself in Spanish culture broadened my perspective and created lasting memories.

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           My first few days in Spain were full of learning experiences, the first being how to navigate the public transportation system. Since my host family lived about a 40-minute walk from the university, I needed to use the bus, especially on the rainy days I grew accustomed to. Through the help of my host parents, locals, and bus drivers, I finally figured out the bus schedule and stops. This was a significant milestone for me because I saw how my Spanish skills improved with each interaction. My main goal in going to Spain was to improve my Spanish accent and become more comfortable speaking the language. Having to find my way around an unfamiliar city and doing so through trial and error supported this goal by helping me gain confidence in my abilities. By the end of my semester abroad, I did experience improvements in my original goals, but I also learned that asking for help is OK. This is a lesson that I know will stay with me for the rest of my life.

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           The most significant cultural difference I adapted to was how Spaniards speak straightforwardly. In English, we often use words to soften the impact of whatever we say or hold back our opinions in certain situations, but this was not the case in Spain. For example, my host mom was very outspoken about disapproving of my piercings. At first, I took interactions like these personally, especially when I started my internship at Eurostars Gran Hotel Santiago. But after understanding that this is just their way of communicating, I learned that this was another cultural difference I had to get used to. I experienced many learning curves during my internship, mainly with the hotel's booking software. If I did something incorrectly, the receptionist I worked with was patient but ensured I knew I was wrong. At the end of my study abroad semester, I realized that I preferred this manner of communication because it left less room for misinterpretation and was more efficient, especially in the workplace. 

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           Connecting with my host family was my favorite aspect of studying abroad, and this made leaving Santiago de Compostela difficult. I had two host sisters who were close in age to my own sisters, and after I got back from school every day, we would spend hours playing games in their living room. Memories like these are the ones that left a lasting impact on me. My host family treated me like one of their own and involved me in family activities like Easter, birthdays, and family dinners. To this day, we still communicate over WhatsApp and stay connected despite the distance. 

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           When I returned home from Spain, I realized I perceived myself differently than when I left for Santiago de Compostela. Before studying abroad, I was nervous about having complete control over my life and was not confident that I could be successful by myself. Experiencing the freedom that accompanied studying abroad helped me understand that I can care for myself without relying on others. This gave me new confidence and excited me to start my professional and personal life after graduation.

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           My classes abroad consisted of Spanish grammar, film, and culture classes, during which I had the opportunity to learn from professors from different areas of Spain. The grammar classes expanded my vocabulary and general understanding of specific topics while boosting my conversational abilities. Our film classes introduced me to the world of Spanish media and supported my previous knowledge about historical events, like the impact of Francoism on the arts. The culture classes were my favorite because we talked about current political events, the history of the four official languages in Spain, and analyzed literature. Also, professors from the university would present a specific topic ranging from architecture, poetry, and medicine every other week. I enjoyed these lectures because they gave me a glimpse into what Spanish university students were learning in their courses. 

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           Overall, studying abroad made me a more well-rounded individual with a more profound respect for various aspects of Spanish culture. Experiencing the freedom to travel to nearby cities and countries helped me build confidence in myself while connecting with others. By having the opportunity to study Spanish in a Spanish-speaking country, my language skills experienced significant improvement. For a while, I felt like I had plateaued and could not learn anything else. I overcame this feeling by engaging with the language on a more advanced level, whether in the classroom, in the city, or at home with my host family. Studying abroad shaped me into the person I am today, and I will always be grateful for the experiences and the incredible people who guided me along the way.