By Alyson Lee (UC Berkeley)
Every study abroad journey begins with questions. How do I apply for a visa? Where will I live? What should I pack and why must all my liquids fit in a quart-sized bag? But as I discovered during my semester in Madrid, the real transformation happens when you start asking the deeper questions—the kind that don’t always have easy answers.
As my study abroad experience draws to a close, I’ve realized that my biggest lessons came from embracing uncertainty and staying curious. Through five different cities and countless “What am I doing?” moments, I learned that every question—no matter how simple or complex—leads to unexpected wisdom.
Here are the five essential questions that shaped my journey, each one teaching me something I never expected to learn.
What Makes a Great Travel Companion?
My first study abroad trip took me to Tenerife, where February feels like summer and the Canary Islands’ crystal blue waters beckoned. I traveled with my roommates and a new acquaintance—five of us in total, full of optimistic hopes for our first adventure together.
That’s when I discovered something about myself. Tension crept in when I pushed to drive to a highly rated beach while others wanted to stay close to our hotel. More tension surfaced when I questioned their choice of a poorly reviewed restaurant. It was nothing major, but enough to make me realize that I was undeniably a type-A over-planner, and it showed.
Here’s the thing about being a planner—every travel group needs one. But I learned to be selective about when to speak up and when to go with the flow.
This balance hasn’t just made me a better traveler—it’s helped me turn what I once saw as a weakness into one of my greatest strengths.
While Tenerife taught me about my travel personality, my next destination would challenge me to face a different kind of self-discovery.
When Should I Follow My Heart Instead of My Budget?
I arrived in Europe determined to track every euro. That lasted about a week. Between country-hopping and constant adventures, my careful budgeting quickly went out the window. Then came Copenhagen—one of Europe’s most expensive cities—and a €15 burger that would change my perspective on spending abroad.
As I stared at that burger, something clicked. Yes, the price made me wince, and it turned out to be the best burger I’d ever had. No regrets.
That’s when I created my worth-investing-in list—first, good food; second, experiences. Boat rides on the Seine, flamenco shows in Barcelona, cooking classes in Madrid—these weren’t expenses to regret, they were investments in memories. Sometimes the best budget isn’t about spending less—it’s about spending on what matters most.
With my spending priorities sorted, I headed to the City of Light, where I’d learn that some of the most picture-perfect moments aren’t always what they seem.
Where Do I Leave My Expectations Behind?
Paris started with an Instagram dream. I’d seen a friend’s perfect study abroad photo—you know the one: friends, laughter, the Seine sparkling in the background. Determined to recreate that magic, I orchestrated an elaborate reunion: 11 girls from three different countries, one Airbnb, and countless revised dinner reservations.
Finally, there we were on a floating restaurant, overpriced Aperol Spritzes in hand, living out that Instagram moment I’d planned so carefully. But something felt off. Here was my picture-perfect Paris evening, and all I could think about was my €30 plate of pasta. Don’t get me wrong—sharing dinner with friends in the heart of Paris was lovely. But that’s when I realized: I didn’t want to live my life for the perfect post. Taking the pressure off perfection taught me to live for the moment, not the memory.
Sometimes the best stories are the ones that never make it to social media.
As I let go of perfection in Paris, the Amalfi Coast would teach me about something even more valuable.
Who Do I Invest In?
Our last trip together brought us to the Amalfi Coast, where pastel-colored villages cling to cliffs and lemon groves scent the Mediterranean air. Between wandering Positano’s winding streets and reminiscing about our adventures, we joked about the stories we’d tell as interesting grandmas one day. Then came that magical Wednesday night in Sorrento, where the moon hung over the Bay of Naples and we found an empty club tucked away in the cobblestone streets.
We commandeered the aux cord, blasted Pitbull songs, and created our own ridiculous dance party—just us, holding hands and screaming lyrics under crystal chandeliers in a centuries-old building. I’ve never been someone with countless friends, but in that moment, with the Italian coastline as our backdrop, I understood something about friendship. The best bonds may not start naturally, but they last because of intentional effort. And what better investment could there be than in people who consistently choose you back?
Which brings me to Madrid, where I learned the most important lesson of all.
Why Does Staying Curious Matter?
Why is the sky blue? Why do the birds sing? Why did I take the wrong metro train to school? In Madrid, my home for the past five months, I learned that “why” might be the most powerful question we can ask. Not because it leads to answers, but because it leads to understanding.
Walking through Madrid’s bustling plazas and quiet side streets, I discovered the beauty of not knowing. Each wrong metro stop, each conversation with a local, each moment of confusion became an invitation to learn. Even now, stepping out of my apartment onto the sunlit streets of Malasaña, I’m just as awestruck by the city’s energy as I was on day one.
Madrid taught me that embracing uncertainty isn’t about finding all the answers—it’s about staying curious enough to keep asking questions.
To anyone considering study abroad but questioning if it’s right for them, I’ll leave you with this: The biggest questions often lead to the best adventures. So pack your curiosity alongside your passport, and get ready to embrace all the unknowns ahead. After all, isn’t that what studying abroad is all about?
Studying abroad is about much more than traveling and taking classes—it’s about all the big and little discoveries you learn along the way. Like these:
- Studying abroad is one of the most transformative experiences you’ll ever have, and it’s the friends you’ll make along the way that make the difference.
- Even short study abroad programs can inspire big lessons that last a lifetime.
- For some students, study abroad teaches broader lessons in politics, culture, and society that lead to self-discovery.
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