In the spring semester of 2025, I studied abroad in Alicante, Spain. What began as a leap into the unknown quickly became one of the most transformative experiences of my life. I arrived excited, nervous, and unsure of what to expect, but ready to embrace independence, strengthen my Spanish language skills, and immerse myself in a new culture. Alicante soon became more than just a place I studied abroad at, it became my first true home away from home, where I learned not only about the world, but also about myself.

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I lived in a shared apartment with three other girls from the United States, and together we navigated the joys and challenges of adjusting to a new country. Some days we celebrated small victories, like figuring out how to order food correctly with Glovo or catching the right tram, while other days we struggled with homesickness or figuring out how to balance these new lives we've stepped into. But living with them gave me a sense of family, and it reminded me that even though we were far from home, we had each other.​ My days were spent at La Universidad de Alicante, where I worked to adapt from the Spanish I grew up speaking in the U.S. to the distinct style and rhythm of Spain’s Spanish. At first, it was overwhelming the rapid conversations, different slang, and even the accent felt foreign. But little by little, I gained confidence; whether asking for directions on the tram, chatting with new friends, or tutoring two local kids, Ramón and Rocío English each week. Those tutoring sessions were some of my favorite moments, seeing their excitement when they learned a new phrase reminded me that even as a student abroad, I had something valuable to offer. Their mom would often thank me after class, and that made me feel not just like a visitor in Spain, but part of the community.

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Outside of classes, I also interned at El Centro Superior de Idiomas at the University, where I gained hands-on experience in translation services and office operations. Over the semester, I managed translation projects, coordinated with translators, communicated with clients in both Spanish and English, and even helped refine the office’s online database system. These responsibilities pushed me to sharpen my time management, problem-solving, and bilingual communication skills. What made the experience especially meaningful was how it challenged me to grow beyond the classroom—learning to navigate professional expectations in a multicultural environment and realizing that I could adapt, contribute, and thrive in a workplace far from home.

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Of course, the semester was not without challenges. Public transportation was a constant test of patience and there were moments when making friends felt harder than expected. Yet those obstacles pushed me out of my comfort zone. I’ll never forget attending the Paellas Festival, surrounded by locals, music, and food. It was one of those moments at the end of the semester where I took a step back and realized how much I had grown—not just as a student, but as someone capable of finding connection in an unfamiliar place. Traveling with my friends Camila and Leslie also gave me some of my most unforgettable memories, from freezing in Zurich to eating pasta in Anagni with my roommates Italian family or when my mom visited me in Spain, walking with her through the same streets I had grown to love, it felt like I was sharing a piece of the new person I was becoming.

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The cultural differences I encountered shaped me in profound ways. The long sobremesas after meals taught me the value of slowing down and truly enjoying conversation. The siesta schedule, where stores closed for hours during the day and on Sundays, was frustrating at first — but soon it reminded me that not everything in life needs to be rushed. Spain’s slower pace of life contrasted with the constant busyness I was used to back home, and it made me rethink what it means to live well.

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By the time I returned home, I was no longer the same person who had arrived in Alicante months earlier. I had gained independence and confidence, along with a new worldview that extends far beyond myself. Professionally, I grew in my language skills, cross-cultural communication, and adaptability, whether through my internship at El Centro Superior de Idiomas or my work tutoring Spanish children. Personally, I learned to embrace uncertainty, to value connection, and to balance planning with spontaneity. Perhaps the most important lesson I carry now is that I want to work to live, not live to work—a perspective I might never have found if not for Spain.

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Though my semester abroad has ended, the lessons remain. I plan to stay connected by continuing to improve my Spanish, seeking out opportunities to engage with international communities at home, and keeping in touch with the friends and mentors I met abroad. More than anything, Alicante taught me that stepping outside of my comfort zone is always worth it. I gained not only professional skills through my internship and academic work, but also a new confidence in my ability to adapt, connect, and thrive in unfamiliar settings. The memories I created, the challenges I overcame, and the growth I experienced during those months are things I will carry with me into my future career and personal life, serving as a reminder that the greatest rewards often come when we dare to embrace the unknown.

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