A Very International Life

Studying abroad came naturally to me, as I have had a very international life. I am both an Irish and an American citizen, born in The Netherlands, have lived in 5 different countries, and visited many more. My parents are both artists and have always supported and encouraged my desire to travel. I love meeting new people and finding myself in situations that I’d never be in back in Boston. There is a special thrill in getting lost in a new place where you don’t speak the language. You see the kindness and generosity of strangers everywhere and how similar we all are, regardless of nationality or language. While I was on co-op in Amsterdam this past semester, I quickly realized I wanted to stay abroad as long as possible. This time, studying abroad in Granada, Spain, is for me a way to practice my Spanish and, hopefully, become close to fluent by the time I leave.

I’m hoping that not only will my Spanish improve, but my overall confidence and maturity will grow as well. Every new experience abroad has taught me so much about myself and has made me develop personally and academically, and I expect this semester to do just that.

My parents have decided to retire in the south of Spain, only an hour from where I will be studying, which will make my study abroad experience a bit different from others. I’m looking forward to family visits but am also hoping to still get the independent feeling of the classic abroad semester. I also don’t want the fact that my parents are nearby to interfere with me learning Spanish, because it will be too easy to resort to speaking English with them. Last time I studied in Spain, my Spanish improved tremendously because I became friends with a group of Spanish locals who forced me to speak. I hope that I can form a similar group this time.

Because I have spent so much time abroad, one may think that I would not be nervous about going to Spain. However, I have the same fears and questions as every student : will I make friends? Will I like the city? Am I prepared? Is my Spanish good enough? What are my roommates like?

As I count down the days to my departure, I feel myself getting more and more anxious, but also more and more excited. I can’t wait to see Granada again, be speaking Spanish, and getting to explore the city on my own and with the new friends I will soon meet.