Starting Class and Navigating Independency

 It has officially been three weeks here in the place I now call home. Before, the place I called home was filled with my family, friends, and things I had always known growing up. Now, things look different. My usual walk to class back in Spartanburg, South Carolina, was filled with trees, familiar faces and a quick six minute walk across campus. Today, my commute to class takes a little over 30-minutes. I use public transportation, which is something I have yet to do before. This is something that took a lot of confidence to do for my first time, and I can now proudly say that I have gotten the hang of it. I am used to driving everywhere, even if it's just a few minutes down the road. This experience has led me to gain a lot of confidence and independence in myself.

As I navigate a new city by myself, I've come to understand why many people love Barcelona so much. The rich history, community, and culture here are what bring so many people in, but also get them together. The sense of community I have seen among many locals here is welcoming and provides a sense of comfort in this new chapter of my life. This past weekend, I attended a local painting class where I learned the story behind this place and its significance. I was able to know why this place is so special. Everyone was so welcoming and encouraged me to keep doing events like this, as this is how I fully immerse myself here in Barcelona. 

    Once orientation and all of us started to get settled in,  our language courses began. I was really looking forward to this, knowing it would help me feel more comfortable in my new environment. Overcoming a language barrier is difficult, yet with the resources that IES Abroad has provided, I am confident in my decision and know that confidence will only increase with more classes. We took a language placement course before arriving, and upon arrival, we took another. This was an effective way to gauge our Spanish knowledge, ensuring we were placed in the correct class and could feel safe while learning.

    Although I have only been in Spain for just under three short weeks, I have thoroughly enjoyed my experience thus far and am eager for what's to come. Being in a new place is difficult, but being across the world with your family and loved ones in a different time zone is all the more difficult. I have felt welcome not only by the IES Abroad staff and students, but also by the community in Barcelona. The staff and professors here at IES Abroad have the students' best interests at heart, which is evident in every aspect of the classes and activities that I have done thus far. 

    To those reading this, who are nervous about what your first few weeks abroad will look like. It's the absolute best! Not only have I discovered more about where I'm living, but also myself. Give it a try!