When you live in a city for four months, it’s easy to feel like you have all the time in the world to explore it. There’s no rush or pressure because it’s right there in front of you. Ironically, that’s exactly why so many people end up not really experiencing it. If you’re traveling as often as I am, meaning every weekend, it’s easy to fall into this trap. Weekend trips in new countries feels most exciting. Barcelona is my “base,” but I often only see it as the place I come back to, rest in, and leave again. It’s already April, and I’ve seen more of other places than the city I live in.
Barcelona isn’t meant to be just a stop in between trips. It is the place I am lucky to call home for four whole months. I’ve tried to slow down and realize that it’s a city full of life, morning coffees, late dinners, walks through busy or quiet streets, and beautiful friendships. Since I didn’t have a Barcelona itinerary, I forgot that there is so much to explore right here.
My advice for those who are going to study abroad is to take time to walk without somewhere to be. Let yourself notice the details you usually rush past. The more familiar a place becomes, the easier it is to overlook, but that’s why you can’t let it become too familiar. In a huge city like Barcelona, I often find myself at the same coffee shops, restaurants, or shops, but there are so many other great places I have yet to explore.
Traveling is exciting, but your host city is where your life is happening. Don’t wait until the end of your time there to realize how much you missed. Explore it while you’re living in it, so you won’t have regrets when you leave.
