Hello! My name is Isabella and I am studying abroad in the GW Madrid program.
As my semester abroad is coming to a close, I am beginning to reflect on my time abroad and some of the things that I have learned.
The first of these things is to be adventurous. There is a difference between being adventurous and reckless and it is important to understand that before going abroad. You do not need to go do things every day because you will get tired or fall behind in coursework – This would be considered reckless. You should however seek out new experiences, people, food, and places – This would be considered adventurous. Being adventurous and ready to try new things is what will make your study abroad experience the best experience possible.
A second really important thing to know is that you will come back different. You will have just lived in a different country for months. You may not have known anybody coming into your program and you had to get out of your Foggy Bottom bubble to meet new people. You may have been speaking a different language the entire time you were abroad. Whatever has happened, you will come back a little bit different than you left and I think that is one of the coolest things.
The third and final major thing that I have learned is that everyone’s experience abroad is different. You can read all of the blog posts, watch all the study abroad life-hack Tik Tok videos, or do as much research as you want, but your experience will likely be different than what you see in curated posts and edited videos. It is important to keep an open mind and not to compare your experience to the ones that other people have. Your experience is uniquely yours, and not defined by the experience of others.
Overall, my study abroad experience has been one of the best times of my life and I have loved it overall. I have had ups and downs, good and bad weeks, but throughout it all, I stayed open minded and open to new experiences. I embraced my host family, and my host country and really feel that, now that I am leaving, I am leaving a second home.
Isabella Banks
GW Madrid
Spring 2023
Elliott School of International Affairs
International Affairs Major