So, my semester abroad is over. On May 6, 2017, I got on my flight back to the United States, and 16 hours later I was sleeping in my own bed for the first time in almost 4 months. It was a very emotional day, to say the least. Even though I had only been there since January, I truly felt like Barcelona was my home. I had made friends, and I had a host family that made me feel so accepted in their lives. I spoke Spanish constantly, and to be honest I’m still not used to constantly speaking English again. It’s a wonderful life, and I only wish I could’ve stayed longer. 

I know that a lot of my blogs talk about how much study abroad can change a person’s life, but I never really thought about what would happen after the semester ended. I was always thinking about the next day, living in the moment. Now, when I’m back to living in the middle of nowhere, driving a car, spending time with my own family, it is starting to become more apparent that I’m not the same person anymore. Before this grand adventure, I was insecure, shy, and I was hung up on a guy that wasn’t even that nice to me to begin with. I couldn’t even stand up for myself. Now, after having to start all over and make new friends in a new place – and speaking a new language – I feel confident in saying that I’m not any of those things anymore. I’m a girl that knows what she wants out of life, and that isn’t afraid to work hard and fight for what she deserves. I want to be a teacher, and although it sometimes seems like the world is against me, I know that teaching is what I was meant to do. I want to travel and be independent, and I won’t let anyone stand in my way of being happy. I’m telling you, being on the other side of the Atlantic Ocean is a total confidence booster. 

Aside for all that my trip did for my mental health, I am here to say that my overall experience with studying abroad in Barcelona was too amazing to put into words. The relationships I made, the things I learned, and the places I visited were things that I will always cherish. I may not have been in Spain for all that long, but I got to do things and see things that some people will never get to experience. For that, among other things, I am grateful. I mean, how many people get to say that they lived a truly authentic European lifestyle, with minimum responsibilities, for months on end? I took a ten-day trip to Italy, and I visited La Sagrada Familia – my favorite piece of architecture ever – with one of my best friends from high school, and I swam in the Mediterranean Sea (it was freezing, by the way). I did all of these things and more, and I don’t regret a single thing. I’m twenty years old, and I’ve done more in my life than I ever thought possible. 

To the students and faculty at MU that followed me along on my travels: I hope you enjoyed seeing Europe through my eyes, and I hope that I could inspire at least one of you guys to travel somewhere new or at least try something different. 

To my amazing support system: you guys were there for me every step of the way. You helped me when I was going through the lows of culture shock, and you took care of the things I couldn’t while I was gone. I can never thank you enough for all that you have done and all that you continue to do for me. 

Well, my time as a Spartans Abroad blogger has come to an end. Enjoy the rest of your spring semester, Spartans! I’ll see you guys in the fall! – B.