I have been in Barcelona for about a month now, and time has passed by so quickly and slowly at the same time! Getting into a daily routine, exploring the city with my friends, and learning in a new environment has been nothing short of amazing. However, while I have been trying my best to keep up with the bustling city of Barcelona, I felt overwhelmed by how much I wanted to do. This was a struggle at first and I wasn’t sure how to approach it, but I have developed a system over the past few weeks that has helped tremendously!

One of the reasons that I chose to study abroad was to dive into new situations and try new things. Since being here, I have challenged myself to try three new things every week, with friends or by myself. There were so many places I wanted to go and see. I decided to make a big list of them and choose when and where I wanted to go each week. This way, I get to explore unique parts of Barcelona. I have everything on the list – from museums, hikes on the outskirts of Barcelona, and even cat cafes!

I have found that this system has allowed me to learn more about Barcelona and look for different ways to appreciate the city. During this time, I have gotten to meet new people at cooking classes or enjoy taking in the scenery all on my own. My favorite adventures so far have been going to Palau Guell, Parc del Laberint d’Horta, and the Museu de la Ciencia CosmoCaixa!

Studying abroad has been an amazing experience so far and I am so grateful to have amazing friends to spend it with while also finding some alone time! Developing this system has helped me create an organized, low-pressure way of ensuring that I see as much as I can and pushes me to research hidden gems in the city. Soak up your time when you study abroad and find a balance!