Things I Learned

Things I have learned so far on my study abroad experience in Spain:

1. Research the city you will be staying at.

I thought I could wing it and pack half my closet, hop on a plane and arrive in Spain with everything I needed. This was not the case. I was freezing for the first two months and even had my mom send a package with snow clothes for a total of 300 dollars. Not my best moment.

2. I highly recommend living with other students in an apartment.

At least one local and another one on exchange. I chose to live in the dorms which is convenient in terms of food, bedding and location, but I am in a single room surrounded entirely by freshman being a junior. Some days I like having my privacy and alone time, but most of the time I am wishing I lived in an apartment with friends who are going through the same challenges and experiences as I am abroad.

3. Be prepared to start everything at a later time and for the Spanish to be on their own schedule.

Spanish time is real and so are siestas. Dinner is late, partying is late and goes into the early hours of the morning. As for your sleep schedule...good luck.

4. Be patient and become self reliable.

I became really frustrated when I would lose phone service or have an issue with a flight, almost miss a flight. It is best to remember your surroundings because so you never feel completely lost and helpless. When I got lost from my group after a flight, I remembered how to get home based off muscle memory and had to wait until I was back in my dorm to have service. Back in the states, I wouldn’t have been able to do this because I never needed to. Don’t panic, relax and figure out how you are going to resolve the issue.

5. Learn some Spanish—especially in smaller cities where very few speak English.

Google translate will help, but locals appreciate when you know how to say words and phrases correctly and Google does not always provide accurate translations. It is especially helpful when asking for directions or if you simply want to order a meal at a restaurant. When you are in someone’s country, it is very important to immerse yourself in their culture and learn their language. It takes practice and I myself am still learning. Once you are able to get around speaking Spanish, your confidence will increase exponentially.

By: Dillyn McHenry