This summer I was fortunate enough to travel to Valencia, Spain to participate in a study abroad program. During my program I spent time with American students from all over the nation while we studied for our culture and cinema classes, traveled, and experienced the daily lifestyle of the locals. One of my favorite parts was living with a host family – my host parents and siblings made me feel welcome and at home in such a foreign setting! The fact that they didn’t speak any English was unnerving at first but I quickly fell in love with being able to practice my Spanish speaking whenever I was at home.

What I was most proud of myself for was my eagerness to communicate in Spanish. Prior to my trip, I was nervous that my level of Spanish knowledge would not have been enough to get by, or that I would sound ‘stupid’ trying to speak. Once I arrived in Spain, however, all of my doubts disappeared because I was so excited to be in a place where everyone spoke the language I had been studying for so long! My excitement for a new experience surpassed my fear of sticking out like a sore thumb when I spoke with my American accent. And although it was sometimes difficult to get my thoughts across to a local, I discovered that, for the most part, they realized I was trying my hardest to communicate and really appreciated my effort. I also realized that my foundation of the language was way sturdier than I had originally thought. There’s something about being forced to think, speak, and write in a non-native language constantly that really brings those random I-learned-this-in-eighth-grade-and-will-probably-never-have-to-use-it verbs to the forefront of your vocabulary. I know a lot more about the Spanish culture and language than I thought I did, it just took this six-week study abroad to really put my knowledge to the test.

This trip abroad also changed my perspective on the world by allowing me to experience a lifestyle so different yet so similar to my own. I learned that, at our core, everyone is the same. Everyone enjoys spending time with their friends and family; everyone enjoys eating good food and making unforgettable memories; everyone has good days and bad days, but the bad days don’t define who you are. If you put your best self out there and are friendly and open toward everyone you meet, you should have no problem making genuine connections and friendships. The differences between cultures, though not drastic, are surely noticeable and have made me reflect on some of the things I have never questioned. In Valencia, the locals are much more environmentally friendly and use public transportation, bicycles, and walking way more than us Americans. It was no problem for me to walk or bike almost two miles to class every day in Valencia, yet back home in the suburbs of Columbus I drive my car every time to go to a gym that’s only half the distance – .9 miles! I want to start living a healthier, more active, greener lifestyle like that I witnessed and lived in Spain. Another thing I learned is that most Spanish locals have little possessions. Many live in small apartments with no yard, little clutter, and only have what they need. The Spanish are a much more social group of people than I think Americans are, and they get fulfillment from spending quality time with their friends and family and doing the things they love. Where I’m from, it seems that people always want to have the biggest houses and the nicest cars and the newest technology, but in the end that isn’t what we need to make us happy. I wish to adapt the Spanish view on life and eliminate wants and needless possessions to make myself happy with my loved ones, passions, and what I already have.

The main component that led me to my increased confidence in my Spanish abilities were the incredible people I spent time with during my trip. My host family was so much greater than I could have imagined they would be. My host mom, dad, sister, and brother never talked down to me, never talked slowly like I was incapable of understanding, encouraged me to keep talking my way through difficult explanations, and had a genuine interest in helping me and my abilities. They made me feel like a true member of their family and were always happy to answer questions about my homework or help me figure out the best ice cream shop in Valencia.

The other group of people that helped increase my confidence was the amazing students I was lucky enough to meet through my program. These college students, of all different states, backgrounds, and Spanish comprehension levels, made the program so much richer by providing different insights and viewpoints on what time abroad really means. We were all so eager to make the most of our experience, so it was wonderful to have friends to challenge each other to do the most and be the best. I’m so happy that some of my closest friends abroad happen to attend The Ohio State University as well, and I’m looking forward to continuing our friendship!

My favorite purchase of the trip was definitely my Valenbisi pass, the city’s bike sharing system. This system was so accessible and was used by locals and tourists equally. Valencia is incredibly bike-friendly, with bike paths on almost every main street. This led my friends and me to bike everywhere and anywhere, sometimes with no destination at all. I hope more cities install safe bike lanes like this so that communities can enjoy the outdoors, be healthier, and respect the environment more. Because of the accessibility and enjoyment from biking everywhere, I now have the mindset that I can make a difference by using public transportation and no-emission transportation options.

A conversation with a friend’s host mom led me to analyzing American desires. My friend and I were trying to explain what living in a suburb is like, since she had only ever known the countryside and the city. After telling her our families have houses with front and back yards, where each person has their own bedroom, she commented in Spanish something equivalent to, “That’s so wasteful.” I realized that, to most Spaniards, Americans long for the biggest and the newest and the prettiest – things that really shouldn’t mean so much but in our culture, unfortunately they do. After spending six weeks in Spain, living with only the necessities at home and the things I packed in my suitcase, I realized that so much of what I left at home I don’t need at all. I was able to refocus my priorities and spend time hanging out with my friends and enjoying the outdoors instead of focusing on distractions and physical items. Since being home, I have sold or donated a portion of the clothes, games, and decorations that I once owned that I know I don’t need. I realize that life does not need to be flashy to be great, and I am forever grateful that my study abroad has shown me that.

Finally, these observations and experiences have certainly proved or will prove to be helpful in my professional and personal life. I had never been out of the country, never been immersed in a new culture, never spent six weeks in a place where I didn’t know a single soul. I am immensely proud of the courage I put forth to apply and follow through with this study abroad. I tend to be hesitant and a bit shy in new situations, but this study abroad has proven to me that there’s no harm in trying my best. In professional settings, such as internships or jobs, I will try my hardest and approach each task with an open mind and a willingness to learn. Learning is a part of everything, whether that be a language, a skill, or learning about other people. In my personal endeavors, I know that I will take the lifestyle I lived in Spain to foster a healthier mind and body. I lived a more active lifestyle (even spontaneously ran a 15k race), tried new activities and foods, and spent less time on my electronics because I was having such a blast experiencing new things. My mind and body had never felt so free and energized as they did during my study abroad and I’m looking forward to feeling this way every day here in Columbus.