ABSTRACT
Studying abroad is one of the most beneficial decisions I have made. While furthering my cultural horizons, I also learned about myself in a manner that would not be possible without this type of experience. Before I left for Madrid, I had not really realized the implications of going to another country, traveling alone, and living with a complete stranger for five weeks. Initially, I was not nervous or anxious but rather calm. It wasn’t until I walked off the plane and into the Madrid airport that I realized I was completely on my own. Without an inexpensive way to communicate with people from home while traveling, I was forced to be independent and use as many resources as I could discover. I developed many different skills, such as language proficiency, time management, and coordination of activities. While these are not major changes, they are adaptations. I transformed into a more independent person. Most people think that going to college is a method of finding independence, but after studying abroad I have realized that placing oneself in a foreign country with no connections is the only true manner of finding independence. Being able to communicate with the locals is highly important so that you may ask for directions and advice and simply interact in day-today conversations.
