Gneuss, Sarah

Sarah Gneuss

Why did you choose to study abroad and how did you select your program?
I decided to study abroad because I wanted to improve my Spanish, learn about a new culture, and step out of my comfort zone. I had a great study abroad experience while I was in High School, so going abroad during my time at UNC was always a priority for me. I chose the program in Bilbao, Spain because I wanted to be able to speak Spanish and because the Basque country of Spain really interested me. I don’t like living in very big cities, so I wanted to go to a city that was a little bit smaller than Madrid and Barcelona. I also love being active and being outside. Since Bilbao is also surrounded by beautiful mountains and beaches, it seemed like the perfect fit!

What did you learn about yourself?
I learned so much about myself during this semster. Through this experience, I gained confidence in myself and learned how to deal with new situations. I learned how to embrace change and use new experiences as a chance to grow as a person. I feel more confident in what I want to do when I graduate and I learned about what kind of place I want to live in!

What is one of your favorite memories from your program?
One of my favorite memories happened on the first warm day of the year. After class, my friends and I headed to a park overlooking the city. We talked and played some games and then headed to the beach for sunset! It seemed like the whole city was outside and enjoying the warm weather.

What advice do you have for future study abroad students?
My advice for anyone studying abroad is to take all the little moments as a chance to grow. We grow a lot when we step outside of our comfort zone! It is likely that you will face uncertainties while studying abroad, but know that other students may be going through the same thing and that there are so many people at UNC and your host university that are there to help you.

Memories