Talk to me about: Curious how study abroad fits into the pre-health track? Nervous about living with a host family? Need travel tips for Madrid or how to explore Europe on weekends for cheap? Studying abroad was, hands down, the best decision I made in college. I almost let worries (like being a vegetarian in Europe) hold me back, and I’m so grateful I didn’t. Feel free to reach out if you have questions or just want to talk it through!

Advice: Say yes to everything and enjoy every minute! It’s totally normal to feel nervous going abroad, as I was sitting at the airport on my way to Madrid wondering what I signed up for.

Looking back, I feel so grateful to myself that I pushed myself out of the comfort zone, because it was truly the best decision I ever made. Plan weekend trips and see as much of the world as possible, but also leave time to spend the weekends in Madrid to explore and find your favorite coffee shops. Try to make friends with people in your program, as they might become some of your closest friends. Also, reach out to your professors – it might be daunting to go into a classroom where the teacher speaks little English, but you’ll soon realize just how much they care and want you to succeed. Madrid has so much to offer, such as sunsets and live music at Templo de Debod (my favorite Sunday tradition), unique neighborhoods with amazing shopping, and the best frozen yogurt I’ve ever had. Embrace the slower pace of life, push yourself to speak Spanish as much as possible, and do whatever it takes for Madrid to feel like a second home.

Moving to a foreign country will teach you SO much, not only about yourself but also about how you interact with the world around you. Time flies fast, so have fun! I wish I could do it all over again.

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