Why Should You Study Abroad

Why Study Abroad in Barcelona?

Ellen Kay

I can’t think of any reason to not study abroad. I made the decision to study abroad when I realized I had absolutely nothing to lose from the experience. If anything I have gained so much more than I had ever anticipated. Experiencing a different country has helped me to view other cultures in a way that avoids assumptions and rather has challenged me to understand why and how their culture is different/the same as mine. You get to know new art, food, traditions, history, and experience the culture in a way you will never get in a classroom. (plus there is a beach)

 As a communications major, the benefits of recognizing differences between the cultures will help me to better reach my future audiences and only make me better at what I wish to do with my future. For now and in the future, I feel that studying in Spain has taught me a lot about how things are and more importantly I have been able to understand why they are that way, this is a skill that will follow me and will be put to use in many different ways. There is a lot to be learned and communicating in a different culture and building relationships is a difficult yet rewarding experience. One of the most wonderful parts of the program is that though it is very much an independent experience, you’re not in it alone. You can take the time to get to know the members in your group and while trying to embrace and experience a new culture, there are bound to be events that will speed up the process of establishing a friendship with one another. While studying in Spain, there is so much more to learn than the course materials we studied in class. There is a lot to learn about your self as well. There are stressful situations, communication issues that don’t only include the language barrier, and downright a lot of confusion. There is a certain amount of tolerance and adaptability you either will have or learn. All of these skills are life skills you will need some day and help you in the long run for future successes.  I believe that there is no better time to study abroad than in your college years. If I were any younger, I’m not sure I would have appreciated the experience nearly as much.

In Spain, there is a sense of relaxation in the culture. Leisure and indulgence are a way of life, this is my favorite part of Barcelona specifically because it has allowed me to grow the most. This way of life is much different from the United States and was quite a shock to get used to. Life seemed to be in so much less of a hurry. In the states, there is constant pressure for creating success in the future. We are so rarely worried about the “now,” we sometimes can get so caught up in worrying about what’s to come instead of enjoying life. This is something that I’ve learned from Spain and will always be able to take away with me. I found this to be a very rewarding mind-set because when in college so much stress and anxiety stems from worrying about our future. Being able to immerse myself in their celebrations like Sant Joan and live in the moment has been so rewarding to me, I can put my phone down, enjoy a conversation, and really embrace the moment. I am very thankful to have had this experience and to have grown so much from it.

How Studying Abroad Has Changed Me

How Barcelona Has Changed Me

By: Ellen Kay

As I am walking through the streets on one of my last few days here in Barcelona, I can’t help but think about how much this trip has done for me. To give a small amount of background to this growth process, I have came a long way from where I was last summer. I was in a stage of depression, which I can say without shame anymore because of how much I have grown from that process. Fast forward a little bit from last summer and I took on a lot of independent roles during the school year, in friendships, school, work, and so on. I took a lot of steps to ensure that my happiness was coming from myself and not depending on anything other than that. Because of my newfound love for straying away, living for myself, and doing what makes me happy not others, I made the decision to study abroad. I haven’t traveled much at all so the idea of it was kind of nerve racking but I will say that I have great adaptability skills so the idea of a whole new place to me was something I knew I could get used to easily, I wouldn’t exactly consider myself to be high maintenance. I also knew that every moment of this trip was going to be a learning process. One of my favorite initial struggles (or blessings in disguise) was the fact that my phone really didn’t work without wifi, and wifi was very sparse. I love my friends and family from home and school don’t get me wrong, but it was so amazing to get to know the people I was with just because we were forced to put our phones away and talk to each other. I’m not even a person that I would consider to be too attached to a phone but it sped up the process of getting to know the people in my group and somewhat forced me to distance myself from getting constant updates of what my friends are always doing. I feel like if its something that is important enough for me to know about, they can tell me and I shouldn’t have to stare at my phone to know their every move. It has allowed me to live more in the moment rather than post the moment, which I love. Plus, who wouldn’t want to live in the moment in Barcelona?? It’s amazing.

This trip seemed to not only boost my independent happiness, but also it solidified it. It’s not a daily thought you have when you sit in a class room in Indiana and think about the many different kinds of people, beliefs, and cultures all over the world. There is happiness for everyone and the happiness you have is the one you create. Barcelona is such a live in the moment, live for now, and do what makes you happy kind of culture that I know I will take home with me at least to some extent. I think that being in my early 20’s it is important that I experience more than worry. This program has allowed me to put my life into perspective a little bit differently. I do worry about things like my future life and career, but being opened to an entire new world has allowed me to realize if something doesn’t work out I have so many options and that I would rather judge my successes in life on my happiness rather than my current professional/financial status or situation. I'm not constantly worried about what will happen but rather what is happening.

Specifically in Barcelona, my religious beliefs have grown as well. I am Catholic, which is a part of Christianity and a lot of Christians seem to consider it to be too “rule oriented”. Catholicism is very well represented in Barcelona and I feel like seeing a lot of historical appreciation is nice, reassuring, and refreshing. I can be a little bit more proud to call myself a catholic and I will be. Catholicism is one of the many heavily debated religions in politics in America despite our “freedom of religion”. I am extremely grateful to have had the opportunity to see my faith celebrated and not hated.

In Europe, people tend to express emotions so openly. This is something that I can appreciate. In America we are so worried about offending people that we don’t just get to the point of what we like/don’t like, want/don’t want. This drives me nuts, especially in today’s society in America. I am happy to have seen people arguing in the streets or to have seen people loving one another openly. I’m really tired of the way people will beat around the bush because good communication is the best way to accomplish anything. I got to experience struggles with my homestay, locals, roommate, and classmates as far as communication went during this program. I think as far as my future career in communication goes, I will be able to realize when saving face just isn’t important anymore and when expressing how something actually is or how I actually feel will just be more beneficial to me in the long run, while being aware of someone's feelings and boundaries, I may just be able to get more out of life and relationships from it.