My time overseas has come to an end, but the lessons I have learned and the memories I have made will stick with me for a lifetime. Here are some of my tips to make your trip as enjoyable as possible.
- Make friends in your group, but don’t be afraid to do some exploring on your own.
- Talk with everyone you can, most people are just as curious about you as you are about them.
- Push yourself out of your comfortzone.
First off, having a buddy or a group of people to explore a new city and country with was one of my favortie parts of my time in Madrid. Using the metro system and other public transport to go see interesting things outside of our program made the trip custom to our interest and more enjoyable. Some of my favorite small trips include seeing the Plaza De Toros, Parque Recreativo de las Berceas, and Retrio Park. Secondly, you are in a forgien country to learn about other customs, ways of life, and to make connections with people from around the world. Something I am glad I did was become a regular at a coffee shop near my residence. This allowed me to form connecions with the baristas and practice my language skills outside of the classroom with other native speakers. Finally, try everything. This is the time to explore, try new foods, do new things, and step outside of your comfortzone. Everyone around you is going through the same challenges, culture shocks, and has the same nerves. Do things together with your group and support eachother while you are trying new things. There is so much to see and learn while abroad and do not let your nerves get in the way of you getting the most out of it. I highly recomend a study abroad program to any student who is interested. Safe travels, and I hope you enjoy seeing the world!
