Have you ever heard of Andorra? It’s this micro country in Europe. Stunning mountainous landscape. A little city surrounded, hidden by the peaks.

I thought I was ready for this year abroad. I had all my ducks in a row logically and physically. Socially and emotionally, the first week took a toll. Moving in was fine. Not great but fine. I could still act like this was a long vacation.

After the first week, I realized that I became homesick. I thought it would easy and exciting. Exciting? Sure. Easy? No.

People don’t speak English, yet there doesn’t seem to be one set language. I hear Spanish, French and Catalan, confusing me to no end. I can speak Spanish a little, but being conversational is extremely difficult for me.

After two months, the language barrier was a little better. I picked up small phrases in several languages and that actually opened my eyes to uncommon dialects. Now my problem was what to do. When I wasn’t in class, what was there to do in a micro country. Not much it appeared.

I still miss home, but we came up with a schedule where I get to talk to my family. I guess it’s getting better.

After six months, I had been to so many cool places. Naturland was one of the most fun places I’ve ever been to. The little historic towns were a sight to be seen. I enjoyed the quiet of this city. Not like cities in the US.

After the year finished, I was proven wrong about Andorra and many parts of myself. I thought I was adventurous and ready and prepared. I thought this would be easy. It wasn’t, but this experience gave this rewarding feeling. I got through it and learned about different cultures and a different way of living.

There is so much more to things when you take a closer look. I couldn’t have selected a better place for my study abroad.

_____ (I didn’t spend a year, but I have been to Andorra so some of this is based off of my own experiences.)