One of the most valuable competencies I developed over three months studying abroad is resilience. Before this experience, I was extremely hard on myself whenever I made a mistake. I let failure define me. Studying abroad forced me to confront—and rewrite—that mindset. From the start, it wasn’t smooth sailing. On the plane ride to Barcelona, I was already feeling sick. I later discovered this was due to a deviated septum. While in Spain, I got sick multiple times. I went to the doctor and...

The different bins, the shared transportation, and the grocery bag policy are all things I adore about Spain’s sustainability practices. It was inspiring to be in a country that cares deeply for the earth. Bins On my first day in Barcelona, CIS Abroad coordinators brought us all together for a meeting and outlined the differences in American and Spanish cultures. One that stuck with me was Spain’s focus on sustainability. Whether you're picnicking on la playa, uncorking cava for the first...