The Introvert’s Guide to Traveling: How to Leave the Country When You Don’t Like to Leave the House

In my hometown, my friends all knew where they could find me on my days off: doing work at a Panera with an offensively overpriced sandwich and coffee (I literally paid for the monthly Panera membership, you guys. It was a problem). I would go at around 10 a.m., get home in the afternoon, make dinner, and go to bed by 9:30 – thrilling, right?

Coming to Spain, where they don’t even eat dinner until 8 p.m., was definitely a culture shock. In the beginning, I tried to follow my exact routine in the exact way I used to, and, shockingly, I felt I was having trouble fitting in. Now I wake up later, spend the morning walking around town, take a siesta in the afternoon, then at about 6 p.m. walk to a coffee shop and do work for a few hours. Adapting to a new culture doesn’t mean leaving all your habits behind; it’s about learning to mold them into your new life.

Here in Granada, I live in an apartment. I have my own room but share a living space with two other girls (shoutout to Phizzy and Audrey). Everyone I talked to, even my home advisor, strongly recommended doing a homestay instead. Well, everyone except my family and friends who knew me best.

Homestays are incredibly valuable and life-changing experiences for so many people, but my personality is pretty antithetical to the very concept. To put it in perspective, my family would go on vacations to some of the most beautiful places in America, and by the second day, I would want to go home. I was overwhelmed by sharing a room with my siblings and utterly exhausted from all the excursions and lack of quiet time.

I understand when people say that a homestay would get me out of my comfort zone, and I’m sure that’s true. But as someone who had never lived outside her parents’ home, an apartment was also very out of my comfort zone, while still being more enjoyable. I’ve learned how to manage a home, create a budget, and navigate full independence. Everyone’s comfort zone is different, which means “getting out of it” is unique to you.

Studying abroad is about pushing yourself, and there are a million ways to do that. Don’t be afraid to trust your gut. If you really think something is not for you, it’s okay to find another path to growth.

I think a lot of people come into long-term study abroad programs feeling as though they have to do something new and exciting every single day. I don’t know about you, but just writing that out makes me need an aspirin. If you are studying abroad for a full semester, it’s totally normal to have lazy days. I think they’re actually necessary to reset and enjoy your time, especially for people who aren’t very social.

I would usually spend my weekdays going to class, maybe having lunch with a friend, then going to bed at a reasonable time. My weekends, however, were spent going with friends to tapas bars, karaoke, discotecas, and some nights coming back home at 4 a.m. The days after, I wouldn’t get out of bed until about 2 p.m. and would allow myself a chill day in.

I’ve learned it’s all about balance. You've got to take the fast with the slow, the wild with the calm. I will say, before I came here, I wouldn’t have considered myself someone who enjoys going out much, but you’ll be surprised by what things you’ll change your tune on in a totally new environment. So try (or retry) everything once: food, hobbies, activities. What better time to see if your palate has changed? (Guys, this blurb was like two tips in one, BOGO!)

Traveling is not just for the ever-outgoing thrill-seekers; it’s for everyone! Though we homebodies may do things a little differently, we can still experience the world with genuine awe and joy. So have fun, explore, and shock your friends by leaving the house past 5 p.m., I know I have!