It’s officially been four months since I boarded the plane to Paris for the semester. I’ve been procrastinating this final blog post because it means my study abroad experience is officially over. :( It flew by so quickly, and I tried to jot down thoughts as I went, but some of them never made it into my blog posts. So this one is going to be a hodgepodge of thoughts and feelings looking back on the semester. 

Even before leaving for study abroad, I was ecstatic about the idea of experiencing the holiday season in Europe. As someone who prefers summertime, the holiday festivities are always a glimmer of joy in an otherwise colder, greyer landscape. I am also well aware of the fact that Europe is said to be home to some of the most magical cities to visit during Christmas. Fortunately, I happened to do most of my traveling in December—trips are cheaper to buy further out, and I wanted to avoid my busy midterm schedule in November.

Our program’s start date is getting closer, and it’s starting to feel so much more real! Booking my flight was the most exciting moment so far; I spent a lot of time that day researching Dublin and even walking around the city on Google Earth. 

Before leaving for study abroad, I made a list of four of my biggest worries about the experience ahead of me. Now, after returning home, I’m returning to these thoughts. With my time studying in Madrid behind me, I’m taking the time to revisit my pre-departure concerns, and reflect on each of them. 

The study abroad experience is different for everyone. Even if you go to the same city, on the same program—it’s up to you to shape your experience into what you make it. Below are interviews from three of my close friends that I met studying abroad in Madrid this semester, highlighting some of their unique and unforgettable study abroad moments.

What is your favorite place in Madrid?

Anna: “I love having picnics in Retiro Park!”

There’s nothing quite like the holidays abroad! No matter what you celebrate, spending four months somewhere means you’ll likely be missing at least one holiday at home. For me, the biggest celebrations are Halloween, Thanksgiving, and Christmas. Of course, different religions and cultures have holidays at different points. Whether you celebrate the same as me or different, it’s important to understand your host country’s own traditions to better engage with the culture while still creating space to celebrate in whichever way you do! 

Hello! Now in English because I’m officially done with my study abroad semester and back in the United States. It’s pretty crazy that it’s all over, it went by CRAZY fast. For my blog back home I think I’ll just talk about my overall experience and what it’s been like to be back home. First, I just wanna say my study abroad time was amazing and easily some of the best months of my life. I know, everyone talks about studying abroad and traveling in general and says how it opens up your mind and changes your perspective.

Alexander Graham Bell famously said, “When one door closes, another opens.” Surely we’ve heard this popular quote and cliche. But most do not know that he added, “...but we often look so long and so regretfully upon the closed door that we do not see the one which has opened for us.”

Four months later, I am sitting alone in a hotel in Amsterdam writing about my experiences. The program officially concluded not even a week ago at this point. As overwhelming as the past few days have been, a great period for reflection is upon me. 

Thursday night and I’m back in the local John McBryne pub for our weekly karaoke night soirée. Everyone is jammed in the back corner of the pub sharing seats and squeezing into the booths. It’s crowded and clammy and our ears are plugged up with the sounds of people scream-singing to ABBA’s iconic "Gimme! Gimme! Gimme!" song. My fingers curl around the demi-pint glass holding my cherry red Monaco drink (I order it everywhere I go because it’s only 4 euros and tastes like Shirley Temple but just with a tiny splash of beer).