Linhares, Rafael

Rafael Linhares

Why did you choose to study abroad and how did you select your program?
I chose study abroad on a whim- as I was submitting my common app, a question asked me if I’d like to study abroad my first semester. As someone who heavily leans towards adventure and spontaneity, I thought, “why not?”, and chose Spain as my first option, as I’d been learning Spanish for years and had always wanted to travel there.

What did you learn about yourself?
Once again, there’s so many small things I learned about myself it becomes difficult to pinpoint anything specific. There are small things, such as my traveling style and new foods I didn’t know I’d like. What kind of places I’d travel to, and what that said about me- some people went to Milan and others went to Amsterdam- it felt like every decision I made contributed to a newly forming identity. The most surprising thing I noticed, however, was just how comfortable I became in situations once far outside my comfort zone- traveling through different countries on a whim, speaking Spanish with strangers, navigating through foreign cities on foot. I felt truly independent for the first time in my life- every decision was my own, and unlike at home, my decisions involved making plans in different countries and which language I’d speak that night. As I continued venturing into the new and unexplored, I began to feel almost at home with the uncertainty that studying abroad brings. The same uncertainty that brought me immense anxiety the first couple days became my compass, and my decisions were made with achieving personal growth and finding irreplaceable, new experiences in the forefront of my mind. I learned not only how to feel comfortable with the unexplored, but that as an individual, I thrived there- discovering this nature lit a fire within me that hasn’t been extinguished ever since.

What is one of your favorite memories from your program?
There are dozens upon dozens of memories to choose from- I enjoyed everything, from the routine walks to school, where I’d walk through the old neighborhood full of shops, mosaics, and narrow alleyways; sitting at restaurants with my friends for hours, enjoying countless rounds of tapas; the hikes to the church on the hill, all the friends I made internationally- everyday brought something new and memorable. What stands out, however, were the experiences I made outside of Spain- everyone in the cohort took full advantage of the cheap tickets, traveling through Europe to places like London, Prague, and Vienna. In early December, me and my friend found ourselves in Tromso, Norway- surrounded by a pack of a hundred reindeer, looking at the northern lights while roasting marshmallows over a campfire- these memories are completely irreplaceable and will forever hold a special spot in my heart.

What advice do you have for future study abroad students?
Lean into it! When in Rome, do as the Romans do! Explore every opportunity that comes along with the trip, as all of them will bring tremendous adventures and lifelong memories. The amount of new things one faces while studying abroad can be overwhelming- there’ll be cultural barriers, a completely new set of faces, a different school system, new food- in fact, it’s easier to just say most things will be different! But everyone gets past the scary stage eventually- for some people it takes a couple days, others, weeks- but I assure you, once you settle into your routine and life abroad, it’ll feel like you’ve been there forever. You’ll know the names of all the local places, you’ll become a pro at booking and arranging travel plans, your language skills will triple- every new experience that seems scary at first ends up being a crucial part of the immense personal growth that happens while you’re abroad. Look at it as a miniature, temporary little life- while you’re in it, embrace everything that comes with it.

How do you identify?
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Memories