My semester abroad at the University of Barcelona was an unforgettable and life-changing experience, both on an academic and a personal level. Looking back I can say that it offered me countless opportunities for growth that I would not have gained had I stayed in my home country.

From the academic perspective my time at the university was extremely enriching. The seminars were highly practical and focused on preparing us for our future as teachers. One of the most valuable parts of the program was the microteaching sessions. In these sessions I was able to practice how to act and present myself in front of a class. This gave me the chance to reflect on my own teaching style and to receive constructive feedback from my fellow students. Their advice and encouragement were very helpful and provided me with new ideas that I can integrate into my own teaching in the future. It was also fascinating to observe how lessons in Spain are structured and conducted. This experience broadened my perspective and helped me see alternative methods and approaches to teaching.

Another important learning experience came from the challenge of language. Since I do not speak Spanish there were moments when I felt completely lost and unable to understand what was happening. This was a very uncomfortable and even frustrating feeling at times. However, looking back I am extremely grateful that I had this experience. As a future teacher I will be working with children who may not speak the language of instruction as their mother tongue. Now I know what it feels like to sit in a classroom and not understand what is being said. It was a powerful and even painful experience but it gave me deep empathy for students in this situation. I am determined to ensure that no child in my classroom will ever feel excluded or lost. This realization is one of the most valuable lessons I took away from my stay abroad.

My accommodation during my time in Barcelona was another part of the experience that had both positive and challenging aspects. At the beginning of my stay I lived in a shared flat with nine other roommates. Although this may sound overwhelming at first, I actually enjoyed it very much. The atmosphere in the apartment was lively and supportive and the location of the flat was perfect. I had a wonderful time there and it helped me feel at home in the city from the very beginning. Unfortunately, I had to move to another apartment later in the semester and the second flat turned out to be more complicated. There were some problems in the new place that made life a little more difficult. Nevertheless, these challenges also taught me to adapt, to stay flexible and to deal with situations that are less than ideal.

Socially and culturally Barcelona was an inspiring place to live. The city itself is vibrant, full of life and offers countless opportunities to experience Spanish and Catalan culture. Living there gave me the chance to meet many new people, to practice intercultural communication and to build connections that I would never have made otherwise. Coming to a foreign country where I did not know anyone at first was not easy but it pushed me to go out of my comfort zone, to take initiative and to build a social network from scratch. This process gave me a lot of confidence in myself and showed me that I am capable of much more than I thought before.

Overall, this stay abroad has had a huge impact on me. I can honestly say that it has changed my personality in many positive ways. I have become stronger, more independent and more open-minded. I have learned how to overcome difficulties, how to adapt to new environments and how to create a life for myself in a completely different country. I also discovered how much I enjoy living abroad and I would love to repeat such an experience in the future.

Looking forward, I am convinced that the knowledge, skills and experiences I gained in Barcelona will benefit me greatly in my professional life as a teacher. The teaching methods I practiced, the empathy I developed for language learners and the confidence I gained in my own abilities are all aspects that will shape the way I teach and interact with my students.

In conclusion, my semester abroad in Barcelona was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity that brought me nothing but positive outcomes. It was academically stimulating, socially rewarding and personally transformative. I am deeply grateful for this chance and I know that it will continue to influence me both as a person and as a future teacher.