Expectations and Transformation

      During the Spring semester of 2025, I had the incredible opportunity to study abroad in Bilbao, Spain. Ahead of the trip, I had hoped to strengthen my Spanish language skills, gain a deeper understanding of what it means to be an expat, and challenge myself to meet people from every corner of the globe. I had high expectations that the semester would be an unforgettable time in my life in all the best ways, but I couldn’t have anticipated the sheer impact the experience would have on me. Through my daily life, classes, internship experiences, and a good deal of traveling, my semester abroad reshaped a large part of my identity and future outlook. 

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Cultural Immersion and Personal Understanding

        I can say with certainty that the most influential aspect of my time abroad was the people I met along the way. The program I elected to attend is hosted by USAC and has no affiliation with Clemson University. Because of this, I was the sole Clemson student in Bilbao that semester, and I wouldn’t have had it any other way. I moved into a flat in the heart of the city with an Irishman, an Austrian, a Mexican, an Italian, and two other American students. Living in this melting pot of a home offered me insight into several different ways of life that can’t be taught in the classroom. We shared dinners, entertaining each other by debating every topic under the sun, leading to countless late nights filled with banter. I quickly learned that although we all spoke the same languages, we were worlds apart in our understanding of “normal” behavior, due to unspoken social norms we had known all our lives back home. Inevitably, this resulted in some conflicts between us due to minor and occasionally major misunderstandings. One specific instance that comes to mind is the initial relationship between Fady, the Austrian, and myself. Growing up in South Carolina, I have always approached conversations with new people like I would a close friend. In my mind, this is natural as I don't see the point in tip toeing around deeper conversations when you first meet someone, because it only delays getting to know them for who they are. To Fady, my mentality came off as extremely invasive and on more than one occasion, he would respond to my questions with a flat "that's none of your business." I quickly realized that he grew up in a more reserved culture and to him, I came off as prying. I slowed down on the questions and was grateful for any personal tidbit he shared in our conversations. At first, this and the other misunderstandings seemed like a roadblock that would be extremely difficult to overcome, because, after all, it seemed almost insurmountable to bring together people from five different cultural backgrounds and expect them to “get it.” By keeping an open mind, I quickly came to understand most of what had been foreign to me. In the end, we grew closer as we came to understand these almost inexplicable parts of each other’s lives. Living with such a diverse group of people came with many challenges, including this one, but I can say beyond a doubt that I have become much more open-minded and empathetic as a result of these experiences. 

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        Throughout the semester, I faced a few hardships in the form of snap judgments when others learned that I am from the United States. Each time, I met the person where they were, and treated them like I would a great friend. Knowing that their biases were based on a caricature of the people of the U.S., it was easy to move on and prove them wrong by simply being myself. I have had the great fortune to travel to many countries that most would label “dangerous” or “hostile,” and I am often asked, “Why there?” before I leave home. My reasoning is always simple. I’ve heard what the news says, I’ve read the horror stories online, but I want to see it for myself. Far too often, people fall for fear-mongering about other cultures and stay in their comfort zone all their lives, never once interacting with the people they have been programmed to judge. I like to think that I changed many people’s perception of the U.S. during my time abroad.

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Academic and Professional Development

      As a Spanish and International Business major, I found the chance to live and study in a Spanish-speaking country invaluable to my academic experience here at Clemson. After a year of studying various Spanish and business concepts at Clemson, the opportunity to apply everything I had learned made it all come together. Speaking Spanish every day created a newfound confidence in the language that years of classes and exams couldn’t replicate. At my internship, I got to see firsthand the implications of working in an international environment. When asked about Language and International Business, I always make sure to explain that the program requires each student to study and work abroad, and that while it may seem daunting, it is a uniquely powerful tool for enhancing our learning.

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        In addition to my coursework, I spent ten hours per week working at a local tech startup. While there, I experienced Spanish work culture firsthand. I have a distinct memory from my first day of work: I was so nervous because I didn’t know anything about the tech industry and wasn’t particularly confident in my Spanish skills. All my fears disappeared the moment I walked into the office because everyone was dressed casually, and my manager quickly told me not to call her anything besides her first name. Week by week, I grew closer to my coworkers and could tell the company truly valued each employee. Anyone could work from home if they chose to, but the vast majority of the team would still come in to see each other. Long breaks when we would all go out for coffee and a pastry were common, and they led to great conversations that never once revolved around work. Although it was a common factor between us, it was scarcely important compared to what everyone had going on in their lives. This sense of familiarity was incredible, and I still carry the same mentality to my office today. 

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Personal Growth and Cultural Lessons

        Growing up in the States, I have always been one to stress over time and rush through my day trying to accomplish as much as possible. Very quickly after I started living in Bilbao, I abandoned my habits and became accustomed to the Spanish perception of time. I stopped rushing conversations because I was stressed about work. I began taking long breaks with my coworkers to really get to know them, and best of all, I lived with the “sobremesa” culture that I had always heard about. It may sound cliché, but the Spanish view life as something to be lived, not experienced. I became much more present in my own life after seeing the joy that comes to those who find gratitude in the “smallest” moments.

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        Bilbao, situated in the heart of the Spanish Basque Country, has great regional pride. As someone from South Carolina, I am proud of what it means to be “Southern.” I found this regional distinction very endearing as it was something that I’ve felt all my life. Nearly all of my friends, coworkers, and professors were from the Basque Country and never planned to leave. Their deep love for their home resonated with me because it’s very similar to the Lowcountry, where I was born and raised. Over time, I came to know and love the very things that gave these people such pride: local foods, football clubs, and a powerful sense of community.

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Lasting Lessons and Future Goals

        When I left for Bilbao, two of my greatest goals were to improve my confidence in Spanish and to understand what it means to be an expat. While both of those things happened, I came home with a different goal: I wanted to continue putting myself in situations where I could learn from people who see the world through a different lens. Looking back, I realize that studying abroad gave me so much more than what I had hoped for. I left Bilbao with a much deeper appreciation for the people and perspectives that make the world so diverse. More than a year later, I still carry these lessons with me, and I will strive to seek out the same kind of connections wherever life takes me.