Balancing your studies and social life on your Year Abroad

Posted on: 19 June 2024 by Iustina Pascu in 2024 posts

It’s hard to summarise how spending your time abroad, in what is potentially one of the nicest places in Europe, can feel like, but it’s genuinely very exciting and also very, very busy. Here are some things which have helped me make the most of my year abroad in Barcelona.

• Saying yes to everything! Seeking experiences outside my comfort zone and being excited about them.

I genuinely believe the best year abroad is the one where you have no regrets, where you try new things and are intentional about new friendships. This was definitely the case for me, not only that it was a refreshing new beginning but it was also the thing which enhanced my social skills the most. People and experiences can disappoint anywhere at any time but knowing that you attended the events, made plans with new people, and were the first one to ask that new friend to get coffee, will bring you a sense of pride and satisfaction no matter the outcome.

Pottery making with my friends on my Year Abroad 

• Staying in touch with your family and friends from home

It can be difficult to keep up with friendships whilst making new ones especially if this happens at the same time as your deadlines and travels. I enjoyed setting a time for weekly calls with my family because it brightened up my day and gave me a positive outlook on whatever I was stressed about at that time.

• Trying my best with all the classes

It is definitely hard to stay motivated when your year abroad feels more like a holiday than a study placement. What worked for me was having weekends solely for traveling and friends and making sure I used my mornings wisely. This might not be possible for everyone but knowing I could be productive everyday until the weekend worked like a reward system and kept me motivated. Though, the greatest reward was how much I improved my Spanish. I tried my best in all my classes which meant that I came back ready for the challenging final year which didn’t feel as hard by comparison.

• The less expectations the better

Overall, the year abroad has far exceeded my expectations and I think this was because I was looking for a specific experience or outcome. I met the nicest, kindest people who I still keep in touch with to this day and did more traveling in this one year than I have ever done in my entire life.

A fantastic firework display - Spain have some of the best! 

The year abroad is a very individual experience which depends on many factors, taking the pressure off by making sure I stayed open to new experiences, making new friends and seeking the positive of every challenge are the things which helped me the most.