I can’t believe I’m already writing my last blog post for study abroad! Studying abroad in Madrid has honestly been one of the best and most impactful experiences of my college career. This experience has allowed me to have so many meaningful interactions, immerse myself in Spanish culture, and grow in ways I never thought possible. Throughout my time abroad, I have noticed changes in my academic, personal, and professional skill sets. Navigating new environments, including unfamiliar languages, transportation systems, and other uncomfortable situations, forces you to step outside your comfort zone and expand your mind. Not everything always went according to plan, but I learned how to handle it and keep going.

Academically, being in a new environment has changed how I look at what I’m learning. In my International Management, Women’s Roles in Modern Day Spain, and Spanish classes, everything feels more real because I’m actually living in a different culture at the same time. My professors are so intelligent, and the smaller class size has brought the class closer together. The learning style here is also different from what I’m used to, since no electronics were allowed, and my attention span grew since we were writing physical notes. It made everything more relevant and helped me understand global perspectives in a new way that will be important for my career, especially as a Global Management major. Professionally, I’ve definitely grown in my communication and problem-solving skills. Being around people from different backgrounds pushed me to be more aware of how I interact and communicate. I’ve had to navigate many unexpected situations and had to think on my feet, especially while traveling. 

One of my biggest takeaways from this experience is learning to be more open and flexible. Some of my favorite moments were so far out of my comfort zone, and I sometimes can’t believe they’re real! For example, I was in Morocco this past weekend, and we stayed in a desert camp for the night. I’ve never been camping before, and we were in the middle of the Sahara Desert, with no electricity, chargers, or heat. In any other scenario, I would never have chosen to do this. After traveling for many previous weekends, I’ve become so much more flexible with going on adventures and going out of the way to explore and see the world. The camp was not the best sleep I’ve ever had, but this experience was truly the most amazing thing I’ve ever done in my life. I would do it all over again! If I hadn’t been constantly pushing my boundaries for the past two months, I don’t think I would have been able to be as open as I am now and have these amazing experiences. 

As I head back to the University of Pittsburgh, I want to bring this mindset with me. I plan to be more open to new opportunities, more confident in myself, and more willing to step outside of my comfort zone, whether that’s in classes, internships, or other leadership roles. This experience has also made me even more interested in working in a global environment in the future, where I can use what I’ve learned about different cultures and communication styles. Overall, studying abroad has been something I’ll never forget. It’s helped me grow so much as a person and has given me experiences that I’ll carry with me long after college. I’m so thankful to everyone who made this possible and for allowing me to have such a meaningful experience.