One month after returning from my year studying abroad, I sit and reflect on how my little adventure in Málaga turned out to be a great deal more than beaches and sangria. Whilst there was still plenty of ‘vamos a la playa’ and sangria, I hadn’t expected how much I would do, how much this would change me. In my first experience of living away from home I never imagined that I’d be peeing in the Sahara Desert, looking onto the plains of Algeria, or getting stranded in the middle of a vast mountain range. And I argue that the real benefits of a year abroad are those that are not explicitly advertised; it is the people you meet, the independence you gain, and the amazing stories that you collect that will become your personality for the following year. So this is my pitch to those thinking about studying abroad.

Travel

As a girl who enjoys watching ‘The Real Housewives’ and being cozy in bed by 10 o’clock, I had modest travel goals, checking out a museum or two, visiting some nearby cities. Once I discovered Ryanair’s 30-euro flights, my ‘relaxed year’ suddenly became a travel marathon. We explored the entire Costa del Sol, admired the beauty of all the major Andalusian cities, and on one of the few rainy weekends in Málaga, we popped up to Madrid, which comfortingly felt like Glasgow thanks to the torrential rain. Attempting to see every corner of Spain, we had spontaneous weekend trips to Valencia, a quick ferry off to Ibiza, a holiday to the volcanic Lanzarote and plenty of tapas-fuelled days in Sevilla.

Then came the impromptu adventures; Norway, Germany, Portugal, the Flintstones-looking dinosaur palace of El Torcal, and, oh yes, the Sahara Desert. We drove down to Gibraltar and got the ferry into Morocco, where we toured the country, ending up in the Sahara Desert. Sleeping in the desert and looking up at a sky full of a million stars was a bucket-list moment. With like-minded people who were up for a quick trip, the year quickly became full of exciting adventures.

Being able to travel and move so freely within Europe is something that I would recommend taking advantage of. Having the time and the money to do this is a luxury that I am very grateful for, and I cherished every moment.

Experiences

Studying abroad also gifted me some spectacular experiences. I got to watch Emma Raducanu win her match at the Billie Jean King Cup and I hiked a 700-metre-deep gorge at ‘El Caminito del Rey’. We had the full immersion into the Spanish culture at the Ferias in Sevilla and Cordoba where we drank with abuelas and poorly attempted flamenco with the locals. My language skills improved drastically and now back in Glasgow, I can sing along to Bad Bunny whilst practicing with my castanets, much to the dismay of my parents.

Naturally, some of my experiences were slightly less exciting. From surviving the excruciatingly slow visa process and navigating the hectic Spanish administrative system, to watching waste bins float away in my flooded street during the DANA flash floods in Spain. If one major incident wasn’t enough, the entire Iberian Peninsula also suffered a power outage. The Spanish solution? Drinking and dancing in the streets.

These experiences have embedded a strong sense of resilience within me. Things that I never thought I’d be able to do; I did with ease and plenty of giggles. And now, I will have excellent ‘mum lore’ to tell my future kids.

Friendships

The best part? The people. Undoubtedly, the greatest aspect of this year has been the wonderful relationships that I have formed. Somehow, in Málaga, we created a very special community of international students. On our holiday to Lanzarote we were a group of over 13 different nationalities. Thirteen! Exploring the island with my friends from all over the world was a bonding experience like no other.

My global perspective has definitely shifted, for example, I now know that ‘Belgian’ isn’t a language and sarcasm doesn’t always translate. Sharing stories with people from all different kinds of backgrounds has opened my eyes. I’ve become more aware of different cultures, more respectful of perspectives that aren’t my own, and more conscious of the privileges I often take for granted. It’s a kind of awareness that no textbook could have ever taught me.

I’m returning to Glasgow with a surprisingly large collection of reggaeton and French rap on my Spotify and have an excellent bank of swear words in multiple different languages.

These friendships are what transformed Málaga into a real home for me. The year wouldn’t have been half as good without them. For those thinking of studying abroad, I would say that the relationships you form are those you keep for life.

Looking through the thousands of pictures I have accumulated over this year, I have a bank of the most wonderful memories and an overwhelming sense of gratitude. I was afforded such an incredible chance to grow and develop both academically and personally. For me, in my next chapter, I am planning visits to my Málaga family in all of their respective countries around the world.

I will be returning to Strath as someone who, as cliché as it sounds, is forever changed. This experience opened my eyes to how many opportunities there are if you just say yes to everything. My attitude has shifted and now I have such an urge to travel. To anyone considering studying abroad, I would say that this experience is what you make of it. The life experience and knowledge that I have gained inside and outside the classroom have been invaluable. I would encourage everyone to take the opportunity if you can, because the only real risk is coming home with too many stories, too many photos, and a slight obsession with checking Skyscanner. I am glad to now be forever known as the ‘girl who always talks about her year abroad’.

Zara Rousen

Hi my name is Zara and I am a 4th year Scots law with Spanish student.