Morgan's Adventure to Spain

Post Study Abroad Reflections by Morgan Marcale

Looking back on the most transformative time of my life, while thinking, feeling, and growing through it all.

• I realized... Interestingly, being in a new environment offered space for me to let go of who I thought I was or had to be.
• I liberated myself from my own inhibitions, like the fear of being perceived, that previously kept me from trying new things and going outside of my comfort zone.
• I allowed myself to expand.
• I realized I couldn’t live anymore with the regret of not trying.

Here are some things that I discovered about myself when I went outside of my comfort zone that I wouldn’t have known otherwise. Because at least I tried and now I know.

My joy for connecting with others triumphs over anxiety.

Sometimes when meeting new people, I become overcome with fear for how I believe I will be perceived, keeping me trapped in my comfort zone where I feel stagnant. However, I realized one thing is for certain. The joy that I feel when getting to know someone is real, while my perceptions are not.
Getting through the initial discomfort of initiating a conversation is so worth it. It is a privilege to get to know someone, even if only for a moment. Tell me about your dreams, what hurts you, what brings you joy. To connect with each other is to witness our shared humanity. To connect with each other is to feel alive.

Language learning requires effort, not perfection.

As someone who used to not be fluent in another language, I know what it feels like. To not be able to fully express yourself. To feel like a child when trying to speak.
However, the only way I truly improved was speaking it. Everyday. To anyone who was willing to listen.
It didn’t matter if I was perfect because my willingness to try, fail, learn, and then try again was how I got better.
So I did the same with Spanish.
Sure. It’s uncomfortable. But honestly?
Being challenged invigorates me because it is a gateway to who I might become.
And that, is thrilling.

To dance is to celebrate being alive.

For most of my life, I was so self-conscious about dancing in public. My fear of being seen and being perceived would control me so much that it was debilitating.
However, one night I found this bar in Sevilla that played Brazilian music on Fridays and Sundays. Interested and excited by this concept, I paid the bar a visit.
I was greeted by a welcoming atmosphere and friendly people. I immediately felt at ease.
Then the music started, awakening a part of me that was dormant for so long, begging me to dance. How could I resist?
Dancing set me free. Dancing brings me joy. Dancing makes me feel the most alive.

Photos From Morgan's Trip

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