STUDY ABROAD
My journey exploring a new culture and learning how to live in it.
After becoming a student orientation leader, I started to take more opportunities that came my way.
Fortunately, I happened to be in the right place at the right time.
I soon found myself on my first flight ever in a country I had only dreamed of.
spain
With the opportunity to live with a host family and be immersed in Spanish culture, my goal was to improve my Spanish speaking skills while learning how to adapt to living in a different country.
I soon realized this experience was more than exploring the external world, but realizing my inner potential.
What's Most Important To Me?
01
COMMUNITY
02
GROWTH
03
ADVENTURE
COMMUNITY
Laying the Foundation
I began my journey meeting my host mom's family and friends. I attended children birthday parties and graduations, family dinners, and even made friends with locals! I learned about their culture through the patience and kindness of each individual. They showed me around their country and taught me the values that their community holds.
I found a home within their city, as their value of social relationships was evident. People walked the streets nearly all times of day. You could find people singing and playing instruments. Others selling clothes or creating art work. Nearly all were friendly and more than willing to help.
Being welcomed in this way helped me build confidence and a sense of security needed to explore the rest of the country without hesitation!
GROWTH
Framing New Perspectives
My main goal of this trip was to broaden my perspective. Living in Spain gave me that through the simple differences in lifestyles.
It seemed that many people who lived in Granada valued family time. They would get together for dinners nearly every week. They would help one another, whether it was watching each others children or borrowing cars.
Not only did I learn from my host family, but took language and cultural classes. I studied how cultural norms can affect how you interact with someone from a different country. I learned how passionate they are about their values, even through the holidays they celebrate.
A month in Spain made me realize how well I face new challenges, despite being in an unfamiliar place. I discovered that understanding our differences better prepare us when interacting with others. The world I live in seems to be much bigger than I thought, leaving me with the ambition to explore more.
ADVENTURE
New Additions
The connection I had with Granada was incredible. My eyes observed every corner with a sense of awe. I felt I had finally found a place where I belonged. Through this thrill of adventure, I learned how to make the most of what surrounds me. I realized that I have not explored much of my own state, let alone my country. I remind myself to look at everything with the same sense of awe I had exploring Granada, to make each experience just as thrilling. Yet, even the brightest moments become dull with time.
I found the most valuable reminder while on an adventure is to take care of what you value most. For me, that is family. Being away from them made me realize how much I appreciate and value quality time with them. I now show my loved ones how much I value them by remaining present in their lives, no matter how far.
WHAT NOW?
After considering what is most important to me, I have been able to figure out what I truly want to do with the next couple of years of my life.
I plan to help students in Spain learn English through the Fulbright program as an English teaching assistant. Until then, I have a lot of work to put in to get enough experience to pursue this dream.