For those of you who don’t know, last year I lived in Barcelona, Spain for four months, and today is one year ago I got on a plane and left the U.S.!
I have been thinking about it all day, and decided to share some thoughts because I can’t get them out of my head. I remember being excited but so scared, mainly because I was not sure I had sufficient Spanish skills to survive.
Needless to say what I didn’t have I gained, and I not only survived but thrived while abroad. I learned so many things about myself–particularly that I can handle more than I think I can and that I have so much strength and determination.
I loved living abroad, and looking back on it there are things I wish I would have gotten a chance to do more often, so here is my advice:
-You can sit at home and watch TV or be on Facebook anywhere. Take advantage of where you are and experience as much as you can, interact with as many people as you can and learn as much as you can. Love where you are at that moment in time and appreciate it not only for its brevity, but also for its length. Savor every moment, and remember it–before you know it, it will be over.
Living abroad was undoubtedly one of the best things that I ever did, and it helped me to realize my priorities in life, what I want to accomplish, my goals and dreams, and what I have to do to achieve those goals and dreams. I realized where my passions lie and how important they are to me. I don’t know if I would have realized these things any other way, and I am extremely appreciative of the opportunities I have had and will have.
I cannot believe a year has already passed since I got on a plane, not knowing what to expect the next day. I can’t believe how brave I was, and although while I was there I thought I had had my fill and wouldn’t want to live abroad again, by the time spring came and I had been back in the U.S. for around four months, I was already thinking about the next step in my life after graduation and how it included living abroad for another nine months.
As some of you may know, I am applying for a few different programs, all of which I would be a teaching assistant in, so cross your fingers and say a prayer that I end up where I need and want to be, though I do believe everything happens for a reason.
As a final note, I would just like to observe how much one’s life can change in only one year. I have cut some people out of my life and added others in, opened myself up to new possibilities and opportunities, and I have to say that I am the happiest I have ever been.
I challenge you to go do something exciting, wherever you are, and to always live in the moment!