Earlier this year, I had the incredible opportunity to study abroad in Madrid, Spain as an exchange student at la Universidad Pontificia Comillas. Although the program’s duration was shortened to a blissful two months, my time there gave me an unforgettably life-changing and lasting experience that I will forever hold dear to my heart.

In my time abroad, there was a multitude of things I learned, but I believe there is one significant way of life there that altered the way I approached my day-to-day. There is an understood stillness to the pace of life in the Spanish culture. A cup of coffee is no longer the caffeine hit for the day, a break from classes isn’t the chance to squeeze in one more episode of the show you are binging, you aren’t rushing past friends to get to your awaiting lecture hall. There is a deeper appreciation for life and these seemingly small day-to-day things. There was so much time put into looking around and simply appreciating that moment. I was no longer feeling rushed over sprinting to my class that was across campus, rather I found myself attentive and present in each class and moment. This allowed me to see and truly appreciate these small wonders.

Throughout the program, I was able to interact with people across the globe of all backgrounds and interests. The university organized many social events to meet more students within the program and get to know one another. It was through these conversations over ‘tapas y copas’ that we all were able to share our thoughts and feelings over the extraordinary lives we all were getting to live out. My most favorite part about these introductions was hearing why people chose to study abroad – “I want to see the world”; “I needed a change from back home”; “I want a change for myself” – the idea of change was a common desire out of this program, which often troubled me throughout my time abroad. Of course, everyone, myself included, longs for an experience like studying abroad to try new things, live past their boundaries, find the change – the purpose to living out such a beautifully unimaginable reality. However, I found early on that through trying to find and make this grand ‘change’ within myself, I was blinding out the simplicities around me. I realized that change wasn’t going to come from a blurry weekend trip to Ibiza, it would come from the ‘now’, what was right in front of me. It would come from having the conversation in Spanish with the older couple in the café that was closing shortly, listening to how they had met as children and found each other again 12 years later. They have been married for 57 years, and he still takes his ‘cielo’ out dancing every Thursday. I know the waters of Cala Comte are incomparable, but I believe there is also beauty in stumbling into a conversation with strangers, and seeing how life has seemingly blessed them.

I remember arriving my first week, plugging in my headphones and roaming the streets every day until the sun would go down. I would walk up and down tightly enclosed alleyways; go in circles around the crowded Plaza Mayor, discovering a new exit each lap; and always finding myself sat in a café, drinking my fourth espresso of the day at the end. I lived off of fresh tomatoes and bread for that entire week, unsure of what produce I could buy that wouldn’t end up ruined by my attempted culinary skills – in the end, it was always those two items, and caffeine that would sustain me. I vividly recall the overwhelming nature of that week – having little contact with my family, using my phone only for music and the ultimate need for Google Maps when I strayed too far off. Looking back, I realize that that week may have been one of my favorite parts. I was seeing everything with fresh eyes, there were no expectations as to where one street would take me. I remember the first day, I walked five minutes south from my apartment, and right across the street stood the Palacio Royal – five minutes from where I lived. The next day, I decided to walk west, where in ten minutes I found myself inside the Museo del Prado, a place I would later come to weekly exploring each wing. In short, I found this first week quickly allowed me to see the blessings that lay in each corner around me. Looking at Velázquez and Goya paintings became a calming activity throughout my weeks, and sitting outside of the Palacio de Cristal was our afterschool hangout – it’s a beautiful realization to have when you take a moment to look at the moments you are living out, and find that they are the ones you have longingly wished for and dreamt about. I think I walked somewhere between 70 and 80 miles that first week, but despite blistering toes, those aimless adventures led me to a greater appreciation of those winding cobbled streets, and all of the beauties that lay between.

During my time abroad, I was able to befriend people from all over the globe. Yet, funnily, I became very close with another student from Ohio State – perhaps, the Midwesterners’ gravitational pull – who ended up later moving into my apartment after realizing the dorm experience in Europe wasn’t as glamourous as he had hoped. He moved in during our third week of classes; the same time at which we also had another roommate from the Netherlands joining us. I don’t think there is another way to describe how these two strangers quickly became two of the greatest people I’ve ever known other than by saying that God truly blessed me with them. They were both utterly unique, and so wonderfully bold and confident of the fact. There was never a moment with them that wasn’t filled with laughter or dancing. They taught me how to find abundance within limitations, to accept life’s circumstances and how to approach them with mindfulness and grace. I can truthfully say; indeed, this world is covered with magical sights and scenes, but finding the people who hold only loving intent and truths, people who exude authenticity and offer kindness, those are our hidden gems that can make life truly extraordinary.

Through the disarray of the last five months, I have found myself reminiscing on this crazily beautiful experience, nostalgic of my early morning metro rides and 10 p.m. household dinners. As easy as it may be to fuss over lost time, those short two months gave me more to learn about life than I have ever encountered elsewhere. I was able to come home with a sense of reassurance about people, and this messy world, and the unknowns of the tomorrows. So often, I think our culture forces us to follow a specific pace, one in which that can either set you up competitively, or steer you off track should you not keep up. I have found that my future should no longer rest dependent on the words of a resumé, or on the job that is the skipping stone to success – but rather through the passions we hold; only through these passions can we find the most precious successes. In regard to the pace of life, it only takes a moment to look up from our screens and smile at a stranger, or to sit down for a meal with others and really enjoy the food and conversation. Each day, we are given millions of small moments – these daily insignificancies that we constantly overlook; yet, should we take those few seconds to appreciate them, you could find immense beauty amidst the chaos.