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Ciao Florence, Hola Barcelona!

Published on by AdriLeave a comment

Currently sitting at the airport, I find myself in a reflective place while waiting to board my international flight to Spain. It feels so surreal to have just finished my studies in Florence, at Lorenzo de Medici, a mere two weeks ago. I was so glad to be home for the holidays, with family, friends and in a familiar environment. But time flew by, and I found myself juggling trying to see everyone, working, and finding free time. I scrambled to pack the night before leaving, and to prepare myself for a new culture, people, and life living abroad.

Everything has been moving so fast it has been hard to slow down and process. Even at the airport now, the prospect of going abroad again feels so surreal. If I’m going to be completely honest, it has been an emotional roller coaster over the past two months. From applying to study abroad in Barcelona, while still in Florence, to having second thoughts, and being again, emotions have been all over the place. Each week has brought a new feeling towards going abroad again.

It’s been my goal to study abroad in two different countries for as long as I can remember, and to return to Spain. So I cannot wait to be back in Spain, practice my Spanish, learn Catalan and about the Catalonian culture. I must say, having a connection to the country you are going abroad in, whether its through speaking the language, or having travelled there before, is a great way to connect with a culture on a deeper level. Being able to immerse yourself in another lifestyle is such an amazing opportunity for growth in so many ways.

After embarking on many solo travels in Italy, and around Europe, dealing with train strikes, travel mishaps and also the rush of traveling alone, facing so many uncertain factors, I am ready to spend a lot of time in Spain, and explore the country as much as possible.

Mostly, I am so grateful for this wonderful opportunity to study abroad again, and live in another country for an extended period of time. Especially while having such a great support system and exchange program through DU. Planning trips and travels alone can take so much time and energy, its nice to have things planned for you sometimes, and just enjoy the ride!

Follow along on my time abroad: https://www.instagram.com/pranaphotos_/

Bye-Bye Bilbao

Published on by gwenmorgan323Leave a comment

Oh it is with a heavy heart I say my final goodbyes to the beautiful basque country.

I’m writing this my last night in Bilbao, feeling a flurry of emotions. I don’t think I can quite articulate what an impactful experience this has been. I’ve learned so much, saw so many new places, met so many new people.

I can not tell you how lucky I am to have gotten paired with the host family that I did, to have gotten such a great roommate. To get to see the Guggenheim everyday on my walk to school, to live in such a beautiful part of town like Casco Viejo.

I learned so much, learned how to navigate public transport (efficiently), how to travel alone. I learned that I can easily pack a backpack for three days (which is huge as a chronic over packer). I learned I love my alone time and my space, but I also adore my host kids and hanging out in the living room just to be in their presence.

I learned that being away from home in the beginning is hard, but it is so so worth it. I learned we actually don’t need as many things as we think we do, life is so much more than the material we put so much value on.

I got to visit my dream city, got to go on so many unexpected trips and meet so many incredibly impactful people I will remember for the rest of my life.

Bilbao, you were so wonderful to me. Here is my love letter to you. I love how quiet you are in the morning, how beautiful you are when you begin to wake up, when I get to watch the lights flicker on in peoples homes one by one.

I love your 2 euro coffee and wine, your pintxos, your wonderful assortment of seafood and of course tortilla de patata.

I love how you come alive at night, how the streets fill with people and the sound of clinking glasses and mindful chatter.

I felt so at home in this big, little city, I wouldn’t want to change a thing. To be able to study abroad in another country entirely is such a privilege, and to have traveled around while I did it even more so.

For all my future study abroad-ers out there, here’s some tips (for Spain peeps ofc):

Don’t overpack! Spain has great clothes and great skincare at excellent prices.

Speak. Spanish! Don’t be afraid to practice, practice, practice! Spaniards are so friendly, they want you to learn their language, so just making the effort is appreciated.

Be spontaneous! Go on a last minute trip, you never know what you might find.

Try new foods! You never know what you might come to love. I love seafood even more after eating so much fish in País Vasco.

Step out of your comfort zone. Bilbao was definitely not on my radar when it came time to choose my study abroad site, but I’m forever grateful the universe pushed it in my direction.

And with that, I bid you all my last agur. Thank you Bilbao for changing my life.

❤