What inspired you to travel abroad?
I wanted to go abroad to complete my bachelor's degree in order to challenge myself both academically and socially. I wanted to interact with people of different backgrounds, from different fields and values to create a better understanding of the world I will have to work in. Establishing an international network of friends and future colleagues is also a great advantage.
Surrounded by Gaudi's work on a daily basis is something you live with, but it never ceases to amaze!
Why did you choose EU Business School?
I chose the EU Business School university for two main reasons: the Bachelor's program and the study environment. This was among the few universities that I encountered that offered a business and sustainability major, which is a mixture of financial and environmental awareness that I wanted to develop at this level of my studies. As for the study environment, I had heard while still in high school that EUBS stood out with its cultural diversity and interesting activities that promised a rich student life.
What was your favorite part about your host Barcelona, Spain?
Barcelona, Spain was a complete delight! I have not met a single person over the three years of living there who could not make Barcelona their own. It is a very sunny, friendly, fun and diverse place, where people of all walks of life can find a place to fit in. The people were very friendly and the city streets accommodated walking and cycling, which was a big advantage for me.
What made your experience abroad extraordinary?
My experience was made extraordinary through the unexpected challenges that I had to face, both academically and in everyday life. The feeling of being alone, but at the same time being part of the huge group of thousands of international students created an environment for personal growth.
How did the local program staff support you throughout your program?
The local staff was helpful in arranging the classes according to the way I wanted to plan out my academic path. They were understanding and compassionate. They also try to help students with issues beyond academics, such as seeking accommodation options, transport, local bureaucracy, etc. and I appreciated that a lot.
I traveled around Spain visiting Sevilla, Cordoba, Granada, and Malaga. Here I am in Cordoba.
Did your program provide specific pre-departure Covid support? If yes, tell us what kind of support you received.
My program was helpful in switching very fast to the online teaching mode. We did not miss any classes and all exams took place when they were initially scheduled. However, I did not receive any specific pre-departure Covid support because I didn't need to. My student residence allowed me to stay for as long as I needed and then I booked my flight and returned home, without any particular complications.
How did your program help you stay (and feel) safe abroad amidst the ongoing pandemic?
It was a nice feeling among the program participants that we were all going through the pandemic together, united. An absolute majority of my course mates were international students, so we all faced the same issues of longing for home, struggling to find plane tickets, and losing our minds in an empty room all day.
What's one thing you wish you would have done differently during your time abroad?
I wish I had spent even more time traveling around and exploring different places and people. It is an extraordinary feeling to be a young adult living in the heart of western Europe and having all the possibilities within your reach. I would not let myself spend any days sitting in my room and scrolling through social media, if I could go back!
Describe what a typical day in your life abroad looked like.
I am a sleepyhead, so I would always wake up at most 20 minutes before my morning class and would rush to the university directly to make it on time. Between classes, I would grab lunch in a nearby cafe with my coursemates and discuss upcoming exams, plans for the weekend, personal life and what not.
After university, I'd go home to recharge, maybe finish up a pending assignment or take a nap. In the evening, I went out a lot. I particularly fancied long walks or jogs, to keep in shape. Other days, me and my friends would go to bars or clubs, irrespective of the day of the week it was.
Cocktails, bars, and clubs are an integral part of student life abroad.
What did you enjoy doing in your free time abroad?
I enjoyed taking long walks in the city center or along the beach. I also loved jogging and listening to music, especially late at night, it really helped me disconnect. In summer, I would spend most of my free time on the beach or on a rooftop, sunbathing. I also dedicated a good portion of my time doing video calls with my childhood friends and family back in my country.
What type of accommodation did you have? What did you like best about it?
I lived in a student residence hall throughout the three years. Most students live in a student residence for the first year but then find a roommate to move into an apartment with. However, it was never on my agenda to move into an apartment.
I preferred the privacy of my small, single room with my own restroom in a student residence. My no. 1 priority when choosing a student residence was its location and closeness to the university.
What is one thing every future participant should know about your program before their program begins?
There is no such thing as "I don't care about this subject, I am not going to need it in my future life.” I would advise everyone to appreciate the uniqueness of the materials for each class, and think about the experiences and life lessons you will take from them. Use the access to the highly knowledgeable and experienced teachers you see everyday, they are willing to help way beyond the syllabus.
Would you recommend EU Business School to others? Why?
I would recommend this program to the students who value the balance between academic and social experiences. This program equips you with knowledge and understanding of all basic concepts in finance, HR, marketing, social and environmental awareness, that you will later be able to tailor to the master/career that you choose. At the same time, the university environment and workload allows you to have a full and healthy social life, or a part-time internship, that would enrich your experience greatly.
What do you feel the biggest benefit of traveling abroad is?
The biggest benefit of studying abroad is breaking out of the everyday cycle that you build from the day you are born, up until graduating from high school. If you spend all these years in the same city, around the same people, you will have a very narrow outlook of the opportunities you have in life. Moving abroad, having to manage your daily chores independently, being solely responsible for your relationships, commute, academics, meeting so many new people - all of these experiences add up to finding your own voice inside your head, and opening your mind to many different ways of approaching life.
Living in a beach city is a blessing and a curse when it's beautiful out, but you have to attend class inside.
Now that you're home, how has your time abroad impacted your life?
I feel way more independent and assured in my values after living abroad for an extended period of time. My time away has also helped me appreciate the little special things about my hometown and my local community that I used to take for granted before moving away. I also live with confidence, knowing that if I need to or want to, I can move to a different country and adjust to this environment very easily.
What does meaningful travel mean to you?
Meaningful travel means going beyond the 5-star luxury hotels and taking photos in front of most famous tourist destinations. Meaningful travel includes interacting with the locals, finding out what are their beliefs and unique ways of doing things, what social and historical events influenced the cultural traits that they carry to this day.