EF Stories: Sara from Italy at EF Barcelona

I'm Sara, and I left for Barcelona on September 4th, originally planning for just two weeks. However, I'm having such a fantastic time that I've decided to extend my language course by an extra week. The week before I left, I was feeling quite anxious, and I even considered canceling the trip. Fortunately, I didn't, and it's been my first journey away from home completely on my own for such an extended period. I was worried that I wouldn't make any friends and would spend these two weeks in solitude. However, I ended up meeting a wonderful group of people who I'll always hold close to my heart.

The EF Barcelona staff has been incredibly kind and helpful, and I quickly formed a bond with them. The classes have been far from dull, unlike my experiences in school back in Italy. They're highly interactive, not at all burdensome, and I actively participate in all of them (something that rarely happened in my Italian school). I can confidently say that this has been the best experience of my life, and I can't wait to embark on similar adventures in the future.

I absolutely adored everything about Barcelona; it has genuinely become my happy place. But if I had to pick favorites, it would be the city itself – it's vast and brimming with places to explore and uncover. Every day, I stumble upon a new gem. Then there's the breathtaking nighttime view from the bunker, which is truly unforgettable. Finally, there's Carmel – it might just be my favorite spot in Barcelona. Once you reach the summit, you're treated to a panoramic view of the entire city, an awe-inspiring sight from above. And, of course, the people here are another integral part of the experience. They are incredibly welcoming and supportive, always striving to make you feel like a part of the community without passing judgment or making you feel out of place.

Upon my arrival at the school, the very first activity we engaged in was the "welcome party" held the day after we got here. We gathered at a local bar to mark the beginning of this adventure, and it was a fantastic opportunity to forge new friendships with fellow EF students. I had a blast right from the start.

I also joined the group for visits to the Arc de Triomphe and Ciudadella Park, which turned out to be both entertaining and informative. It was fascinating to learn new things about Barcelona, and I thoroughly enjoyed myself. Later on, I took part in a day trip to the Labyrinth of Horta, and it was yet another wonderful experience. Our guide was incredibly friendly and amiable, making it feel like I was spending time with a friend. I'm definitely planning to participate in more activities before I depart because these moments are truly once-in-a-lifetime experiences.

Thanks to this experience, I had the incredible opportunity to meet my long-distance friend from Palma de Mallorca, someone I've known for two years but had never met in person... until last week! It was a whirlwind of emotions, and I can honestly say it was one of the most intense moments of my life. It might be hard to believe, but without EF, this meeting would have never been possible.

I've always been a very reserved person, but I feel that things have shifted for me now. I had the chance to connect with people from all corners of the globe and improve both my Spanish and English (as that's how I communicate with my EF friends). I believe when I return, my parents and friends will see a completely transformed person, and I can't wait to show everyone just how much this experience has changed me!

You have to set aside all your anxieties and fears and take the plunge, because it's through this that you get the opportunity to meet new people and experience different cultures, and in my opinion, there's nothing better than that. Most of us are apprehensive about the unknown, and we tend to stick to what's safe. However, you have to be daring and remember, "take the risk and live or lose the chance."

Even though I've only been here for a short time, I've already learned so much that I wasn't aware of before. I hope that once I return home, I can continue this journey towards fulfilling all my dreams. I'm eager to keep learning and improving my Spanish, so there's a good chance I'd choose to visit Spain again.