Ending
Every time I study abroad, I learn something new. During this 5 week program, I’ve learned more than I know how to explain. Academically, I’ve learned a lot, and have gained valuable experience. However, most of what I’ve learned is personal. I’ve learned that this lifestyle, as crazy and chaotic as it was, is something I want to pursue. I want to keep traveling as much as possible, while writing and taking pictures. Everything I was testing myself on, I passed.
Academically, I’ve learned how to structure a story, to collect great quotes, and write a rock solid lede. However, I’ve also learned how to stand up for myself when developing story ideas, how to work with other students for a shared bi line, and most importantly how to pick out a good story from a “sky is blue” story. In the future, I want to take more risks with my reporting, and improve with my ability to dive a little deeper.
I’m shocked with my ability to power through. This program has been extremely intense, and there were many moments I just wanted to stop and breathe, but we didn’t have time. When you’re in the middle of a story, you don’t have time to freak out or break down, you need to push through and get it done. I’m pleasantly surprised with the patience I developed on this program.
However, in moments of a crisis where my patience was wearing thin, I allowed myself to slow down a bit. When scared or apprehensive, I slowly figured out that all I need is a moment to myself, to collect my thoughts and figure out the next step. This dynamic was tested each and every day, and sometimes it worked out better than others.
Either way, study abroad has once again given me a huge insight into the world I otherwise wouldn’t have gotten. I’ve learned so much about Spain: Spanish culture, history and society. I feel like I have witnessed hands on what Spain is both challenging and achieving, and to me that is invaluable.
Studying abroad is about learning more about yourself, making strides academically, and ultimately about true immersion. For me, the most valuable part is to see how I change while abroad, because I think this may be me in my most natural state. With no resources, no support and no general knowledge, you’re left completely on your own, and this is where you learn the most about yourself.
My favorite experience was finishing my first story. This is where I proved to myself that I can do this, and that I want to do this. During this moment, I felt totally in control and pleased with how much I’d already accomplished during the first few weeks of the program. I was happy with all my other stories as well, and possibly more so, but the first was by far the most rewarding.
This is why I would tell future participants to always stay calm, and remind yourself why you’re on this program. Yes, you want to make friends, and yes you want to see the city, but you are on this program to write and to experience the new culture you are in. In moments of extreme chaos and frustration, which are unavoidable, the only clarity and motivation came from the realization that this is what I was here to do. You’re lucky to study abroad, and although days will be hard and you will want to feel bad for yourself, remember what you set out to do, and focus on getting that done.
As my time here ends, I’m ready to start my next study abroad. Whether it is as a Co-Op or another Dialogue, I’m excited to see where I end up next. I have no grasp on where or when that might be, but as always I’m excited to plan my next travel. I always have a venture abroad planned, and I’m looking forward to discovering a new one.