What I Learned Studying Abroad in Spain
In the fall of 2024, I had the opportunity to study abroad in Santiago de Compostela, Spain. Going into the program, I wasn't sure what to expect. Even though I had taken Spanish classes at Clemson, I still felt nervous about my Spanish skills and how I'd adjust to a completely new environment. To make things more complicated, I didn't receive much information about my host mom or my classes ahead of time, so I arrived in Spain trying to prepare myself for the unexpected. Despite early nerves, I was excited. I did everything I could to get ready before leaving. I researched what to pack, watched YouTube videos about other students' experiences, and even found local gyms, art classes, and dance studios near where I'd be living because I really wanted to create a home away from home.
Once I arrived, there were a lot of adjustments to be made. One of the first things I noticed was that much less English was spoken in Santiago than in other parts of Spain. On top of that, many of the people I met, including my coworkers, spoke Gallego, the co-official language in Galicia. While it was interesting to hear and learn more about it, it initially made conversations a bit more confusing. Over time, I began to appreciate Galician culture and how closely language is tied to identity and place. I learned that Galicia has a Celtic heritage (sharing similarities with Ireland, Scotland, and Whales) that influences its music, food, and architecture. Living in Santiago's Old Town, a historic part of the city where everything was within walking distance, gave me a deeper appreciation for the region's traditions and slower pace of life.
Living with a host family was one of the most meaningful parts of my experience. My host mom was kind and welcoming, and although it was my first time living with someone outside my family in a while, she helped me settle in and was very patient. One big cultural difference I had to adjust to was the daily schedule. In Spain, the day starts later, meals are eaten much later, and everything seems to move slower and more intentional. I found myself eating lunch around 2 or 3 PM and dinner at 9 or 10 PM, which was completely different from what I was used to. The portions were smaller, but meals were often shared, especially tapas, which I grew to love not just for the food but for how they brought people together. People in Santiago weren't in a rush. You'd see them gathered at cafés for hours, just enjoying each other's company. The culture around food and social time showed me that people there prioritized living to work, not working to live. That value shift made me think deeply about how I view time and connection in my own life.
Another major part of my experience was walking the Camino de Santiago, the famous pilgrimage that brings people worldwide to Santiago. Learning about its historical and spiritual significance helped me understand how deeply rooted tradition is in the city. I met pilgrims from all over the world, each with their reason for walking and hearing their stories helped me feel connected to something much bigger than myself.
Academically, I learned so much. I took classes at the southern campus of the University of Santiago and participated in an internship program. One class that stood out to me focused on Spanish history, especially the impact of Franco's dictatorship. I was surprised to learn how recently Spain transitioned into a democracy and how those effects still linger today. Through films like Verano 1993 and Flores de Otro Mundo, I explored themes of identity, immigration, and social change. Flores de Otro Mundo, in particular, opened my eyes to navigating cultural differences, gender, and belonging in rural Spain, which is something I could now understand more personally.
Of all the lessons I learned, one of the biggest was gaining a new level of empathy for immigrants and language learners. Although I've lived outside the U.S. and studied abroad in Ireland during high school, this was my first time living in a country where the primary language wasn't mine. Suddenly, simple tasks like grocery shopping, explaining an issue to a class, or visiting the doctor became intimidating and nerve-wracking. I was afraid to say the wrong thing or not understand the response. Those moments were challenging but also taught me so much about myself. I came to understand what it feels like when the culture around you is doing things that are normal for them but completely foreign to you. You're participating in their world, but it doesn't feel like yours yet. That's something I never fully understood until Spain.
There were definitely challenges along the way. Sometimes, I felt like people treated me differently at work because I was still learning the language. I also had to adjust to cultural norms that initially made me feel unsure, like the more direct communication style or navigating social rules I hadn't yet learned. But over time, those differences became part of the experience, and I grew to value them. They made me more flexible, more confident, and more empathetic.
When I returned to Clemson, the readjustment was harder than I expected. The time zone difference threw me off, and the food didn't taste quite the same as what I had gotten used to in Spain. But I also came back with a stronger sense of self, a deeper empathy for others, and a renewed passion for Spanish. I've been finding ways to stay connected to what I experienced, like joining cultural activities, dancing salsa, practicing my Spanish, and keeping in touch with friends from the program. I'd love to return to Spain for a longer program, maybe even two years, to continue immersing myself in the language and culture.
Studying abroad showed me how beautiful cultural and linguistic diversity can be, and how much personal growth comes from embracing the unfamiliar. I'm grateful to Clemson for making this opportunity possible. I'd love to see the university create more spaces like student groups or reflection events for returning students to connect and share what they've learned. This journey pushed, taught, and shaped me in ways I never would have imagined. I hope to return one day and finish the whole Camino.