Slowing Down to Soak It All In: Your Final Days Abroad

Lately, I’ve been catching myself walking slower through the streets of Barcelona—lingering just a little longer at crosswalks, taking the long way home, pausing to actually look at the buildings I’ve passed every day. With the end of the semester creeping in, it’s starting to hit me that my time here is almost up.

Studying abroad in Barcelona has been so much fun—more than I expected, honestly. The spontaneous day trips, the shared dinners that turned into long conversations, the quiet afternoons at the beach… It's been a season full of joy, challenge, and a lot of growth. And now, as everything winds down, I’m finding myself craving something a little different—not necessarily more, just more intentional.

So if you, like me, are counting down your final weeks in your study abroad home, here’s something I’ve been thinking about lately: what if we slowed down to truly take it all in?

Step Off the Hamster Wheel of "More"

It’s easy to feel pressure to squeeze in as many trips, restaurants, and museums as possible before heading back. But I’ve started to realize that it’s okay—not everything has to be a bucket list moment. Sometimes, the most beautiful memories come from the unplanned, the quiet, the ordinary.

Take this spring break (or Easter break, wherever you’re calling it)—instead of rushing to do it all, maybe try the opposite. Take a breath. Pause. Let yourself reflect. Maybe journal in the park, go on a solo walk with no destination, or finally check out that local shop or café you've passed a dozen times but never walked into.

Do One New Thing (That Isn’t in the Guidebooks)

Before I leave, I’ve made a little pact with myself: do something I’ve never done here, no matter how small. It might be joining a community event, visiting a lesser-known museum, or chatting with a local at the market. It doesn’t have to be flashy. Sometimes, those off-routine experiences are the ones that stick with you the most.

Ask yourself—what’s something you haven’t tried yet because it didn’t fit into your usual rhythm? Now’s the time.

Ground Yourself in Gratitude

Barcelona has changed me in ways I’m only starting to understand. It’s taught me to be bold, to slow down, to enjoy la vida. As this chapter wraps up, I want to sit with that. To ground myself in gratitude for the joy, the growth, the surprises, and the silliness.

So whether you’re traveling over break or staying local, I hope you take some time to reflect on what this experience has meant to you. 

Write a letter to yourself. Meditate. Call a friend from home and tell them about your favorite day here. Just give yourself space to feel it all.

Because no matter how many days you have left, there’s still time to make this story your own. ❤️

Here’s to slow mornings, new paths, and leaving with a full heart. As writer Annie Dillard once said, “How we spend our days is, of course, how we spend our lives.” So whether it’s your last two months or two weeks, spend them with intention. Let each day be something you’ll want to remember.