Berkley Center

It is undeniable that as Georgetown students we live under constant pressures that cause us to go about our day under a pretty high level of stress. Yet, our stress is not only attributable to being at Georgetown, but also to the pressures that today’s society places on us. We are always focusing on doing well in school, which at top universities like Georgetown is a demanding time commitment. On top of that, we're working hard to get internships and job experience. Being in this environment for too long can cause us to develop a narrowed view on life. Going abroad affords an opportunity to go outside this mindset and lifestyle.

Living under different academic and cultural circumstances affects how you perceive your life back in the United States. The simple act of going through everyday activities without any stress can change your perspective on many things. You will realize how important it is to have time to yourself, and how much it changes your attitude and perspective on things. I can say that being abroad with a significantly lower stress level and going through my daily activities has shown me some negative aspects of how different I am back in Georgetown. I would encounter incidents while abroad that I was able to handle very calmly, unlike how I would have done so back at school because of the added stress. Having an extended period of reflection has allowed me to learn more about myself.

Having an opportunity to better understand yourself during your college years before entering the real world is an opportunity that should be taken. Being abroad gives you the opportunity to learn from others outside of your frame of reference. From personal experiences I have learned the most from meeting people from not only Spain but all over Europe and hearing their stance of a variety of topics, ranging from school to family. It is key to not only know that others have diverse perspectives other than your own, but also to understand why they think in that manner. Learning about their stance and reasoning forces you to give your own views a second thought and reflect more upon your own ethnocentric ideals and values. It is only by living amongst a people who hold different cultural values that you can truly broaden your horizons and further understand different world perspectives without your own biases interfering. The same can be said when being around people with similar perspectives, because even if they hold the same view on something, their reasons for thinking that way will never be exactly the same as yours, and learning from those small differences can leave room for reflection upon your own ideas.

No matter the location or reasons behind your choice for studying abroad, one thing is true: you will never be the same afterwards. I have changed a lot during my time abroad and have gained knowledge that cannot be gained through books, articles, or essays, but rather through personal experiences. I know that I will not be the same person I was last semester. Looking back at the little time I have been here, it is unbelievable all the experiences and knowledge I have obtained.