Traveling abroad is full of so many new challenges: living somewhere outside of the US for the first time, adapting to the culture, getting a hang of the transportation, and, most importantly, learning how to cook for yourself. For me, living in a dorm the past few years and my home before that, cooking has never really been part of the equation: there are those rare nights at home where I’ll cook dinner for my family, but they are rare.

This semester, I had the unique opportunity to take a special class, Urban Interventions, which focuses on studying graffiti, street art, and public sculpture. In this class, I learned all about famous street artists as well as the history behind street art and how artists think when creating sculpture and art using the streets as their canvas. 

Once envisioned as a central hub by urban planner Ildefons Cerdà, the neighborhood of Glòries has undergone significant transformation. From its roots as a transit center to its evolution into a community-oriented space, Glòries today is a vibrant blend of architecture, culture, and creativity. You may notice this neighborhood due to its most prominent feature, the Torre de Glòries. This tall building is located in the Plaça de Glòries, which was initially envisioned as a central intersection connecting three major roads in Barcelona.

One of the opportunities that attracted me to the IES Abroad Rome Center was the ability to participate in Corsi Singoli. These classes at local universities are available to all students with varying levels of language proficiency; some are taught in English, like one at the Academy of Costume and Fashion, or in Italian at RUFA (Rome University of Fine Arts) and Roma Tre. I am very passionate about my Italian studies and have taken two years of classes at my home institution, along with supplementary practice in the form of music, movies, filling my feed with Italian language news, etc.

Studying abroad has been full of unforgettable experiences, new connections, and growth opportunities. I’ve found myself eager to soak up every unique moment possible, and with all the resources for adventure provided by IES Abroad, these chances were constant. However, I noticed something along the way: constant motion is tiring. Especially as an introvert, there were times when I found myself drained. Too much socializing, too much nomadic behavior, trying to see everything possible during this precious and limited time. Not enough time spent recuperating from these activities.