Tag: study

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_/

Its okay to relax at home

Published on by miadervisevicLeave a comment

While I’ve done A LOT in these past few weeks/months, I also feel like I haven’t done anything. It’s a weird in between where I feel like I always have to always be doing something, and where I have to remind myself it’s okay to relax. I see people going on trips every weekend, and it makes me wonder if I’m doing everything I can.

I occasionally get this feeling, that I feel like I have to be doing something, traveling somewhere, or seeing something. After class, before class, on my off days, and weekends. I have to remind myself that part of enjoying studying abroad, and life, is taking time for yourself and relaxing, even if that’s in bed, at home, watching a movie. I have to remind myself it’s okay to not always be walking around the city. While that’s definitely important, and exciting, you don’t have to do it every day. After a while, I’ve seen and done so much in London, I don’t know what to do on my off days. Today is one of those days.

Today, I woke up late and started my day slow. I had to remind myself that it’s okay, to not have a plan, and to not always go out into the city. I decided to retake some notes and remind myself what I have to do for my finals. I still feel a void, where a voice in the back of my mind is saying to do something, even though I don’t know what to do. “You’re in London and studying abroad! go out and do something” it says. But I am doing something here at home. I’m talking with my roommates, making food, doing schoolwork, and relaxing, which are all very important to life and studying abroad as well.

I feel a common consensus is, if you’re not going out and traveling all the time, you’re not taking advantage of this opportunity. But that’s wrong. You can enjoy your time abroad, relaxing and enjoying you time, just as much as you can enjoy time abroad, traveling. It’s okay to stay home once in a while, and not worry about what you’re going to fill your day with.

I sometimes forget just how much stuff I’ve done. I feel as though I haven’t done enough, but then I reflect and rethink what I’ve done, and it’s a lot! I’ve seen all the great tourist attractions like Buckingham palace, Big Ben, and the Tower of London. I’ve traveled to the countryside and enjoyed a quiet day. I’ve spent time at parks, museums, and cafes, as well as hung out with friends. I’ve even traveled to Scotland and France! I have to remind myself that I’ve done so much, even if it doesn’t feel like it, or there’s still so much to do. While I still have a bucket list of things I want to visit to complete, it’s okay to take this day for myself.

So, I’m here to remind you, that it’s okay to take a relaxing day at home, cozying up in bed, watching a good movie. It’s okay to not have plans and focus on schoolwork. While it’s amazing to go out and enjoy whichever city you’re abroad in, there’s a healthy balance of the two. Today, I will focus on my schoolwork, and myself, and remind myself that I have great plans tomorrow and the rest of the week, that a slow day like today is needed.

https://www.instagram.com/mias_abroad/