I thought this transition would be easy.
I’ve been away from home before, and I go to a college where going home for the weekend isn’t always simple. I’ve learned how to be independent and comfortable in new environments. So when I packed my bags for Barcelona, I assumed the adjustment would feel familiar. A new country, yes, but I had navigated change before.
What I’ve learned is that every adjustment is different, and that isn’t a bad thing.
Living in Barcelona has simply required me to be more intentional. Everyday interactions happen at a different pace. Conversations involve listening a little more closely. Daily routines aren’t automatic yet; they’re learned. Instead of moving on autopilot, I’ve found myself slowing down and engaging more fully with the world around me.
I didn’t expect how much attention it takes to live in a place where routines are discovered rather than assumed.
That process has been exciting in its own way. Adjusting has made each day feel more present, more deliberate. Rather than relying on habits I’ve built over the years, I’m creating new ones, one experience at a time. It’s a reminder that I’m not just visiting Barcelona; I’m learning how to live here.
Because of that, I’ve started noticing things I might have missed otherwise.
I notice how the sunlight shifts across the buildings throughout the day. I notice the quiet rhythm of footsteps below balconies and the sound of conversations drifting up from the street. I notice laundry hanging from windows and the smell of bread from nearby bakeries. These small details have become part of my routine, anchoring me in the day.
One day at school, I paused in the bathroom and looked out the window. The view wasn’t iconic or dramatic, just warm-toned buildings, open shutters, and a slice of sky framed between rooftops. It was simple. And it was beautiful.
A small, everyday reminder of how special it is to call this place home for now.
Back home, familiarity often made scenes like this easy to overlook. Here, everything feels new enough to appreciate. Adjusting to a different culture has taught me to slow down, observe more carefully, and find meaning in the everyday moments that make up life abroad.
Studying abroad isn’t about instantly feeling settled or having everything figured out. It’s about giving yourself the space to adapt, to learn, and to grow into a place. Adjustment doesn’t mean discomfort – it means curiosity. It means paying attention.
Living in Barcelona has shown me that feeling “new” can be a gift. It keeps me engaged, open, and excited about what each day might bring. I don’t need to feel fully adjusted to enjoy this experience. I just need to be present for it.
Some days still feel unfamiliar, but more than anything, they feel full of possibility. I’m grateful for the chance to learn a new pace of life, to appreciate beauty in ordinary views, and to experience a city not just as a destination, but as a place I get to live, even for a short while.