Bledsaw, Haylie

Haylie Bledsaw

Why did you choose to study abroad and how did you select your program?
I chose to study abroad because every place in the world is different, and being able to completely immerse yourself into a culture is a once in a lifetime opportunity. Studying abroad gave me an opportunity to learn Spanish while learning about the rich history of the Iberian Peninsula while traveling throughout the south of Spain.

What did you learn about yourself?
This experience caused me to grow a lot as a person. Being 18 years olds freshly out of my parents house in a another country that speaks Spanish was a huge change. I learned that in times of change and uncertainty I can push through and make the scary things more enjoyable and fun. I learned that I am my own person and don't have to rely on my parents to live anymore.

What is one of your favorite memories from your program?
One of my favorite memories is when our program traveled to Cadiz, a beautiful beach town in Southern Spain. After a long day of playing beach volleyball, and walking along the beaches the girls and I all decided to run into the ocean. It was November and the water was pretty cold but having all these amazing people I had known for 2 months with me running into the ocean was a memory I will never forget. Studying abroad brought a very diverse group of people together, friends that will be there for each other, for the rest of our lives.

What advice do you have for future study abroad students?
Advice I have is don't be scared to explore and meet others. If you study abroad and don't go out and enjoy every moment you have there you are gonna regret it. Although studying abroad for three months seems like a long time it passes so quickly. It may be scary to put yourself out there but once you do it becomes so much easier especially if you are meeting new people.

How do you identify?
First Generation College Student

Memories