Moving to Barcelona was one of the best decisions I have made in my 20’s. When I first decided to spend my summer in Barcelona, I had imagined the experience would mostly be about traveling, going to the beach, trying new foods, and making new friends. While of course, I did all of those things, I didn’t expect how much living abroad would teach me about myself. I went to Barcelona thinking I would learn about a new culture, but I ended up learning lessons about independence, slowing down, and appreciating the life I have at home. Overall, I got a new perspective in life.
One of the biggest things I learned was how comfortable I had become with routine. At home, I knew where everything was and how to get from one place to another without having to think about it twice. Being at Chico and it being a small town definetily had its advantages. In Barcelona, even the simple things like ordering food, figuring out public transportation, or communicating with people who only spoke Catalan were very difficult to navigate. At first, those moments made me nervous and even a little anxious. Eventually, though, I realized that being uncomfortable wasn’t necessarily a bad thing. It forced me to become more confident in myself and go outside my comfort zone.
I also learned that life does not have to feel rushed all the time. In Barcelona, I noticed how people seemed to take their time eating meals, spending time with friends, and enjoying their surroundings. Things like grabbing lunch with coworkers and places closing down for “siesta time” were normalized. I became more aware of how often I would rush through things at home because I am thinking about what I have to do next. Living in the United States made me realize how fast paced our lifestyle is. Living abroad showed me that it is okay to slow down and actually be present in the moment. I was able to enjoy time with my friends and coworkers and truly be present.
Most importantly, I learned that independence does not mean doing everything alone. I became more comfortable with meeting new people, asking for help, and putting myself out there. My favorite part truly was the people I met. I met people from all over the world and was able to connect while also learning from them. It was good being in an environment where everyone wanted to learn from each other.
Leaving Barcelona was bittersweet because I knew I was leaving behind a place that had become familiar to me (plus, being in Spain when they won the World Cup was pretty awesome). However, I came home with a different view of the world. I came home with a better understanding of myself. I learned that growth often happens when you are outside your comfort zone, and sometimes these experiences that you’ve never expected end up teaching you the most. So if you get the chance to go abroad in your 20’s, do it!
