Coming into my study abroad experience, I found myself in a sea of unfamiliar faces. Although I met many people the first couple of weeks, I soon became intimately acquainted with my own company. I found that students came in with friends from their home university and seemed very busy, some were more reliant on proximity for friendships, and some just weren’t aligned with what I looked for in friends. I want to preface that the people I was meeting were truly remarkable, but I couldn’t shake the feeling of disconnection. I was in a phase of my life where I was changing a lot as a person, with my perspectives on life, my values, my priorities and what I believed to be true.
At times, I struggled with trust in the new connections I was forming. Reflecting on these interactions, I realized that our compatibility often boiled down to understanding each other's love languages. I discovered that words of affirmation held particular importance for me, and armed with this insight, I made it a goal not to hastily judge others for their different modes of communication.
Through reflection, I was also able to recognize and change a belief I held. In certain group settings (not including one on one conversations), I incorrectly equated speaking about myself with a need to prove my worth. In reality, group discussions were simply opportunities for others to familiarize themselves with who I am. Additionally, as I navigated conversations in a foreign language, I learned to advocate for myself when I needed clarification or assistance in understanding topics. This journey of self-discovery facilitated insights into my own nature and how I engage with others.
As I underwent these transformations, I realized that not everyone could keep pace with my evolving self. This is a common experience among students studying abroad, where there are a myriad of changes that come into play. It's crucial not to shy away from reaching out to others during this time. If you find yourself in a similar situation to mine, where you're entering a new environment without knowing anyone, consider attending the activities and excursions organized by Barcelona SAE. I ended up meeting some of my closest friends there. Moreover, in the initial weeks, try sticking with a group of peers to ease the transition.
During the first two months abroad, I often lamented my solitude, inadvertently diminishing the value of those moments of introspection. I had completely forgotten about the version of me who was excited about coming to study abroad alone. Back home, I am accustomed to constant companionship. However, in this new environment, I was excited about the prospect of solitude as an opportunity for self-discovery.
The biggest myth is that being alone translates to being lonely. Although this can be the case, loneliness comes in waves when surrounded with people who you don’t relate to. I’ve come to accept that not every encounter will lead to lifelong friendships, and that's perfectly okay. Not being afraid of being alone made room for focusing on the quality of my relationships over sheer quantity. Suddenly, I found myself gravitating towards individuals who brought out the best in me, rather than settling for mere company out of fear of solitude. I learned that if I want to go see something or get something done, I need to go do it despite not having another person who holds the same interests as I do.
Once I embraced solo endeavors, I discovered a more profound sense of fulfillment, in place of feeling sorry for myself, and was able to meet a ton of amazing people along the way who I truly connect with. If there's one takeaway from my experience, it's the importance of embracing moments of solitude to delve deeper into self-discovery and cultural immersion. This shift in mindset has enriched my study abroad experience and will undoubtedly remain a cherished lesson for years to come.
Through reflection, I was also able to recognize and change a belief I held. In certain group settings (not including one on one conversations), I incorrectly equated speaking about myself with a need to prove my worth. In reality, group discussions were simply opportunities for others to familiarize themselves with who I am. Additionally, as I navigated conversations in a foreign language, I learned to advocate for myself when I needed clarification or assistance in understanding topics. This journey of self-discovery facilitated insights into my own nature and how I engage with others.
As I underwent these transformations, I realized that not everyone could keep pace with my evolving self. This is a common experience among students studying abroad, where there are a myriad of changes that come into play. It's crucial not to shy away from reaching out to others during this time. If you find yourself in a similar situation to mine, where you're entering a new environment without knowing anyone, consider attending the activities and excursions organized by Barcelona SAE. I ended up meeting some of my closest friends there. Moreover, in the initial weeks, try sticking with a group of peers to ease the transition.
During the first two months abroad, I often lamented my solitude, inadvertently diminishing the value of those moments of introspection. I had completely forgotten about the version of me who was excited about coming to study abroad alone. Back home, I am accustomed to constant companionship. However, in this new environment, I was excited about the prospect of solitude as an opportunity for self-discovery.
The biggest myth is that being alone translates to being lonely. Although this can be the case, loneliness comes in waves when surrounded with people who you don’t relate to. I’ve come to accept that not every encounter will lead to lifelong friendships, and that's perfectly okay. Not being afraid of being alone made room for focusing on the quality of my relationships over sheer quantity. Suddenly, I found myself gravitating towards individuals who brought out the best in me, rather than settling for mere company out of fear of solitude. I learned that if I want to go see something or get something done, I need to go do it despite not having another person who holds the same interests as I do.
Once I embraced solo endeavors, I discovered a more profound sense of fulfillment, in place of feeling sorry for myself, and was able to meet a ton of amazing people along the way who I truly connect with. If there's one takeaway from my experience, it's the importance of embracing moments of solitude to delve deeper into self-discovery and cultural immersion. This shift in mindset has enriched my study abroad experience and will undoubtedly remain a cherished lesson for years to come.
Angelika Gasior
Angelika is a Business Administration major at the University of Michigan. She studied abroad with Barcelona SAE during the Spring 2024 semester, taking classes at both the School for International Studies (SIS) and the Universitat Pompeu Fabra (UPF). During her time in Barcelona, she stayed with a local host family. Angelika is serving as a Barcelona SAE Alumni Ambassador through the Fall 2024 semester.
