Student Spotlight: Vicktryl Mbakwa in Spain
What were the biggest personal challenges you faced during your time abroad, and how did you overcome them?
“My biggest challenge while abroad has definitely overcoming the feeling of loneliness that I feel every week. Especially doing this completely alone. There are so many moments even in a big and busy city like Barcelona I feel so alone. Everyone seems to have come with someone they know but I did not. To overcome this I have been going out of my way to meet and connect with people. I try my best to initiate conversations and make new connections. Though it is a long process, thinking about the end goal motivates me. I am a pretty social person normally but something about being here makes me more shy.”
What similarities and differences have you experienced between your host culture and your culture?
“I think a big difference is the lack of personal space weirdly enough. I feel like in Spain to make people feel more comfortable there is a lot of eye contact and physical touch. In the US, I feel like people like to be alone and have their own space. There is also a big reliance on public transportation that does not exists in the majority of the US. But a big similarity between Barcelona specifically with the US is it being a melting pot of cultures. The US, like Barcelona has so many people from different sides of the world. I feel like I have met more people from different countries than locals in Barcelona. Of course the use of Catalan and Spanish is different than the US but there is still a good amount of people that speak english. It is also so normal for people to know multiple languages but in the US it is more "rare". That is something I wish was more of a priority in America.”
Tell us about an experience where you were out of your comfort zone.
“I have been most outside my comfort zone any time I am in an area where no one knows english. Yes, Barcelona is such a multicultural city but Catalan and Spanish is still the main language. It makes me realize just how much I need to put in to learn a new language. Learning in class isnt enough because once I am in a conversation with a local it is just me and whatever I know. Those moments make me realize my level and what level I want to be at. Especially since I want to be totally immersed in the culture.”