Studying abroad was always a dream of mine, but never one I thought would come true, or even tried to make come true until this year. Although I was full of doubt and stress during the decision process, I am extremely glad I decided to embark on this journey. I tried to keep an open mind during this entire process, exploring all of the options and not getting my hopes up about one specific location. When researching the different locations and programs, I had to consider my budget and my major. I have a passion for HR and it was important to me that I gain internship experience while abroad. I spent time researching online, on the phone with CISAbroad and ISA representatives, and in the UA study abroad office discussing my choices. After careful consideration I found that the UA internship in Barcelona program was perfect for me. The price of the program was not outrageous and CISAbroad ensured me that Barcelona was a great place to find a job in Human Resource management and marketing.

In preparation for my departure, I have been researching the city of Barcelona, including the culture and language. I have been practicing my Spanish words and phrases to help me adapt and making sure I have the right clothes for work and leisure. I am going for 8 weeks and will be traveling with one suitcase and a carry on backpack. I have read every Pinterest post possible about exactly what to pack for my trip to Europe and am still a little clueless. Most importantly, I will carry with me a smile, a positive attitude, and an open mind. It is very important to me that I keep an open mind to the Barcelona culture and soak in as much as I can with my short two months there.

As a girl who has never been to Europe, let alone on an airplane for more than 4 hours…you can say I have a ton of different emotions as my departure date creeps closer. I have never been away from my parents for longer than a month at a time, so this will definitely be an adjustment. Although I am nervous about leaving behind my friends and family, I am so extremely excited to see what is waiting for me overseas. I am filled with thankfulness and joy that I have been able to turn this dream into a reality. While I am in Spain, I hope to travel to other countries in Europe and see and do as much as I can with my time there. I hope to gain a better understanding of the Spanish culture as well as flexibility, adaptability, and independence. I also hope to grow in my field of study and gain more knowledge about HR. Through my internship, I hope to gain international experience as well as exceptional communication skills. I am extremely excited to see what is in store, and can’t wait to keep this blog updated of my travels and experience in Barcelona.