Has My YA Changed Me?

After being home from the first part of my YA in Spain, I reflected on if my time abroad has changed me before I head off again to France in a month or so.

Before my year abroad started I heard and read of so many people saying that your year abroad completely changes you and you come back a different person with different interests and now find yourself bored with the things that used to interest you.

While thinking about this at first I thought I hadn't changed much at all. I mean I still like the same things I did, I still act like I did and I still have the same hopes as I did. However, when I started thinking about it I guess I have changed more than I would have thought. 

Before my YA I'd never flown alone, never travelled alone, never had to deal with bureaucracy alone, never lived anywhere that wasn't my family home and certainly never taught a bunch of teenagers. 

This year has seen my fly alone and deal with trains and public transport as well as travelling to different cities solo. These things at first were hard but during the 9 months it has become much easier and things I don't really think about before doing any more. I've always been shy and always had someone to ask for things for me. However, this year I've not only had to do this myself but I've had to do it in Spanish. So in theory if I can do it in Spanish, I should have no problem in England where I don't have to think about how to ask the question in another language first. 

Another thing I've had to deal with is Spanish bureaucracy in getting my NIE and setting up a bank account. This is particularly hard in a country that shuts up in the early afternoon, where they have no idea what urgency is and see absolutely no need to rush anything. These experiences have not only tested my patience but made me vow to appreciate the British way of doing things. 

I've definitely become more confident and independent which after dealing with teenagers everyday was probably inevitable. I trust my instincts more and do more things that I never had to do back home. I've learnt to cook new things and I've learnt how to use a washing machine and actually have to do washing. So I guess I have changed albeit not in obviously huge ways. I'm definitely the same person with regards to my interests but aspects of my personality have changed which I guess is inevitable after 9 months in a different country.

The Year Abroad Tag

After being home for a few days I decided to reflect on my time abroad. I saw this tag in a YouTube video before I came to Spain and as I was looking through my photos I saw the screenshot I took of the questions and so decided to write a post on it.

1. Most memorable moment/ encounter with a native person?

When I spent about an hour or so talking to two Spanish people. Despite being drunk, they understood everything I said and it was probably the most amount of Spanish I had spoken in one go. 

2. Proudest moment speaking the language?

When in Alicante Airport the guy in the shop responded in Spanish, which probably isn't the greatest achievement ever, but they'd always spoken in English despite me speaking Spanish and it was nice when they finally replied in Spanish. 

3. Biggest culture shock?

Definitely the lack of urgency Spanish people have when I'm used to having something done when I want but Spanish people don't rush anything and nothing is so important that it can't wait until tomorrow. 

4. Favourite aspect of the foreign culture?

How friendly everyone is when they see you and greet you. After a long weekend they greet you like they haven't seen you in ages and they're generally very friendly and chatty. 

5. Best memory?

My last class with my E12 group a it was lovely that they said they'd miss me and they had all enjoyed me teaching them as it made me realise I did actually make a difference which is a great feeling. 

6. What did you miss most about home? (not including people/places)

The fact that people respect your personal space in England. You don't need to be stood an inch away from my face when you're speaking and you definitely don't need to keep touching my arm during a conversation. 

7. Best night out?

Either the night when my two friends came to visit from home which was hilarious or the night I went to watch Valencia play Barcelona as I've always wanted to watch Barcelona play and it was a really good game and atmosphere, plus Barcelona which only about 20 away fans and myself were happy about. 

8. Most memorable plate of food/ food discovered?

Food definitely has to be Patatas Bravas which even though it's not the most exciting food, as a vegetarian I can't eat a lot of famous Spanish food and the massive plate I got in Sevilla was the most memorable food I've had here. 

9. Favourite photo?

This one from when my two friends came to visit as it was the happiest I've been while been here and it was so great having them in Valencia with me. 

Or if I'm cheating, this one from Take That which I technically saw whilst on my year abroad even if I returned to England to watch them, plus they were absolutely fantastic and I couldn't not mention them. 

10. Number one piece of personal character development?

Probably confidence and independence as I've managed to live without my family and not die and I've successfully dealt with Spanish bureaucracy and kept teenagers under control in the classroom.