There was one moment during my time abroad that really stuck with me, and it happened when I took a trip to Lisbon by myself. Up until that point, I had gotten pretty comfortable living in Florence. I knew how to get around, how to order food, and how to handle basic conversations. But being in a completely new country alone felt like starting over in many ways, especially when you do not necessarily do as much research as you should.
When I first arrived in Lisbon, I remember feeling pretty overwhelmed. The streets were confusing, everything felt unfamiliar, and I did not understand the language at all. Even simple things like figuring out which direction to walk or how to find a specific neighborhood felt stressful. There was a moment where I just stood there looking at my phone, trying to figure out a map that did not really make sense to me. It made me realize how much I had been relying on familiarity in Florence without even noticing it.
Instead of letting that frustration take over, I decided to approach things the same way I had when I first arrived in Florence. I started small. I asked people for directions, even if it felt awkward at first. I paid attention to how people interacted, and I tried to pick up on little cues. Even though I did not speak Portuguese, I found that just being polite and making an effort went a long way. People were surprisingly helpful, and those small interactions started to build my confidence back up.
One of the best parts of that day was when I ended up finding a small local spot that was not full of tourists. I had been walking around for a while, kind of wandering without a real plan, when I came across a place serving bifana. I ordered one and sat outside, just taking everything in. Later, I found another place where I tried a pastel de nata, which I had heard about but had never had before. It sounds simple, but those moments felt like small victories because I had figured it all out on my own.
Looking back, that experience had a bigger impact on me than I expected. It showed me that I can handle being uncomfortable and still figure things out. I learned that confidence is not about knowing exactly what you are doing, but about being willing to try even when you do not. Navigating Lisbon alone pushed me out of my comfort zone in a way that felt real, and it made me realize how much I had already grown from living abroad. Since then, I feel a lot more independent and willing to take risks. I am less afraid of getting lost or not knowing what to do, because I know I can adapt. That day in Lisbon was not just about exploring a new city. It was about realizing that I am capable of more than I thought, and that is something I will carry with me long after this experience is over.
