Besides choosing to attend UF, studying abroad was one of the best decisions I’ve ever made.
When I was younger, I was drawn to study overseas for an entire semester, regardless of which university I attended.
As it turned out, I landed at a school where many students stay on campus for both Fall and Spring semesters and usually opt for smaller Summer study abroad programs.
Despite the fact I needed to meticulously plan my schedule for the remainder of my degree, find my own housing, apply for a Spanish visa and leave all my friends who were staying in Gainesville, I signed up for a Madrid exchange program.
Yes, the first two weeks were tumultuous, to say the least. I missed my friends. I doubted myself. I questioned my decision.
But those two weeks of insecurity and temporary loneliness were well worth it for the next four months.
I met people from all over the world — as far as Australia, Mexico and France and as close as New York City and Chicago. While I’m now oceans away from most of them, they’re lifelong friends.
We traveled together, studied together, went out together and laughed together. We talked about our good days and our bad days — whether that be a job offer or a bad grade on an assignment.
There’s something deeply special about the bond between people who are far from home and choose to be each other's family. It’s an incredible feeling to know you can form relationships with people from different cultures and backgrounds.
My Spanish also improved significantly.
When I first got to Madrid, I could barely check out in the supermarket using my Spanish. But by the end of the semester, I could understand people talking loudly on the phone, carry a conversation with someone on the metro and even use a bit of Spanish slang.
Beyond the friendships and cultural immersion, studying abroad was far more affordable than most students assume.
Because of UF’s exchange program policy that participants still pay UF tuition for the semester, I paid the same tuition I pay in Gainesville. And Madrid housing is also very comparable to Gainesville rental prices. So overall, the cost of tuition and board was remarkably similar.
Spain has a lower cost of living than the U.S., so my groceries and other daily expenses were actually less expensive than they would have been back at school. And through my on-campus job at UF, I saved for the extra travel costs, including plane tickets and accommodations for excursions and activities.
In addition to the financial side, UF offers programs across most colleges, from engineering to architecture and business. Depending on your degree, some programs require more advanced planning.
The lessons I took from this experience will be ones I will keep for the rest of my life. I proved to myself I could embrace the uncomfortable and make my own community across the world.
So, even if you’ve only given studying abroad a fleeting thought, I encourage you to sign up.
Even if you are signing up alone and anxious, do it; the experience will change your life.
Contact Shaine Davison at sdavison@alligator.org. Follow her travels on Instagram @shaine_in_spain.
Shaine Davison is a junior majoring in journalism and minoring in environmental science. She has previously served as the editor of the enterprise desk and reporter for university and sports desks. This semester, she will be studying abroad in Madrid, Spain.
