Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.
Going abroad, leaving my home, family, friends and comfort zone, was one of the scariest things I have ever done. I was fortunate to have my parents with me during the hours I waited for my first flight. It was bittersweet, yet terrifying, knowing I was about to leave everything I knew and cherished for an experience thousands of miles across the ocean. When it was time to say goodbye, I turned to my parents with heavy tears in my eyes, angrily threatening to spill down my cheeks. A silent, unspoken prayer passed between the three of us as we hugged tightly; a prayer that I would live the experience I was meant to, and return safely to their arms.
My initial travels were a blur, but I met people whom I believe God meant for me to encounter. After the first wave of emotions calmed down, a man sitting near me on my flight asked if I was all right. “Yes,” I replied as fresh tears formed in my worn eyes. I stuttered out a few sentences explaining where I was going and why before this kind stranger reminded me that my family and friends were so proud of me taking this courageous step. His words rooted me to my seat, forcing me out of the emotions that were surfacing once again. Throughout the semester, I leaned on his reminder as motivation to keep going, to never give up.
The first week in Spain was a flurry of tours and meetings. The semester’s program was made up of 10 students from all over the United States. We were a group of nervous college students stepping into one of the coolest experiences of our lives, ready to meet new people and make meaningful connections.
One of the most difficult lessons I learned while studying abroad was to be open to different cultural habits, perspectives and expectations. Life in Spain is very different from that in the United States. I had to adapt to an entirely new, social way of life, which was very challenging at first. Making an effort to be open-minded was very rewarding by the end of my time abroad; I learned to be patient with my language studies and thankful for social gatherings such as Encuentro, our weekly worship event.
By the end of the semester, we created more than meaningful connections. We found family in one another and through our faith, tied to the one experience that would ultimately shape how we see the world. Our teachers empowered our learning and taught us how to immerse ourselves in the richness of the Spanish language, culture and values. Without such inspirational people, my experience in Spain would never have been so memorable.
Looking back upon my semester abroad, the most profound lesson I learned was to go out of my comfort zone. Chasing the journey across the ocean was just the first step in an adventure God had planned for my life. While away, my grandma encouraged me to remember Philippians 4:6, and I carried that verse in my heart as a reminder to put myself out there, do new things and find myself in every exciting opportunity.
Study Abroad Student Photos
About Waynesburg University Study Abroad Opportunities
Learn more about the study abroad programs Waynesburg University has to offer.
Where to apply for the Semester in Spain Study Abroad Program
Waynesburg University partners with Living & Learning to provide students with the opportunity of a lifetime to study in the heart of Spain.
About Waynesburg University
Consistently ranked a best value school, Waynesburg University’s Strategy for the 21st Century affirms its commitment to developing an entrepreneurial mindset and ethical leadership skills for all students. Rooted in its mission of faith, learning and service, the private, Christian university is located on a traditional campus in the hills of southwestern Pennsylvania.
