Maybe you are like many and think you want to study abroad in Europe.  You are definitely not alone, all of my friends decided to study abroad in Europe, mainly in Barcelona.  And yes, Barcelona is an incredible city with so much to offer and being in Europe travel is so easy!  No judgement if you want to go there, but that is why it is such a popular abroad location: everyone knows how amazing Europe is.

Believe me, I get it.  The thought of traveling around with a group of your best friends from UMass for a semester sounds like so much fun!  Really it does, but is that what going abroad is all about?  In my opinion it’s not.  Going abroad should be more than hanging out with your college bffs taking Instagram pictures of each other.  It should be about letting yourself discover who you are, challenging yourself, learning a new way of life and accepting cultural differences, experiencing breath taking moments, and finding out what truly makes you happy.  Maybe you can do this in Barcelona surrounded by people you already know, but I knew I wouldn’t be able to. Continue reading →