Spain changed my way of life
February 1st, 2025: Where Everything Began
I was standing at the airport in Nuremberg with two large suitcases next to me, on my way to Valencia. Inside me was a mix of excitement and quiet fear. Those suitcases carried more than clothes. They carried expectations, doubts, and a version of myself that believed this new chapter in Spain would begin easily. I imagined arriving, settling in quickly, and feeling at home almost immediately.
But my beginning was different
Sometimes arriving first feels like losing
Only a few days after arriving, I got sick. Being ill in a new country changes everything. My body felt weak, my energy disappeared, and emotionally I was far more fragile than I had expected. At the same time, I slowly realized that the apartment I had moved into did not feel right. I felt uncomfortable in that space and in the area I was living in. No matter how much I tried to adjust, something inside me stayed tense. I did not feel safe. I did not feel grounded.
Being sick made those feelings heavier. My sadness deepened, my thoughts became quieter and darker. Even simple things like grocery shopping felt overwhelming. I missed my family and friends intensely. Not only their presence, but the feeling of being understood without having to explain myself. I felt very alone, and for the first time I seriously questioned whether coming to Spain had been the right decision.
After that first chaotic month, all I wanted was for something to finally fall into place. I was tired of questioning myself and carrying this quiet sadness every day. Still, deep down, I have always believed that everything in life happens for a reason. Even the difficult parts. Even the moments that do not make sense at first. One evening, without any expectations, I was scrolling online. And then I saw it. A room in a shared flat right next to my university. I cannot fully explain why, but something about it felt right immediately. There was no overthinking, no doubt, just a calm inner certainty. I believed that this moment was not random. It appeared exactly when I needed it. I knew this was going to be my new home.
From that moment on, everything began to change
A DIFFERENT WAY OF LIVING
The Gandia campus of the Universitat Politècnica de València became a place where I felt seen not just as a student, but as a person. The atmosphere was open and relaxed, and I quickly felt comfortable there. Experiences like the Fallas festival showed me a different way of living. What stayed with me most was not the event itself, but the mindset behind it. People lived in the moment, fully present, without holding back. Watching the fireworks, I felt a rare intensity, a moment that stayed with me long after it ended.
Later in the semester, I became part of the organization and design team for the Festival of Cultures through a university project. Teamwork played a central role from the beginning. Working together felt supportive and natural. What made this experience especially meaningful was the diversity within the team. Students from many different countries came together and their perspectives blended effortlessly. It reminded me how powerful openness and collaboration can be.
Without noticing it at first, Spain was changing my way of life.
I became calmer. More open. Less tense.
One unforgettable memory was a spontaneous weekend in Benidorm with Maria. Nothing was planned. We simply decided to go. That experience reflected something Spain had slowly taught me. To be spontaneous. To say yes more often. To trust moments without needing control. That weekend strengthened our friendship and showed me how much joy there can be in letting go.
When Everything went offline
Connection doesn't always need electricity
I will never forget the massive blackout in April 2025, which affected large parts of Spain, Portugal, and France. Suddenly everything stopped. No electricity, no internet, no explanations. For a brief moment, I felt unsettled, especially being far away from my family. But what surprised me most was how calmly people reacted. Instead of panic, there was togetherness. People went outside, talked, laughed, shared time. Even after almost twenty four hours without power, the atmosphere remained relaxed. That moment showed me how much strength there is in slowing down and trusting each other.
The same feeling lived in many evenings spent with Peris, Maria, and other friends by the beach. Most of the time, nothing was planned. We would just meet, sit down somewhere, and see where the evening would take us. The best moments are always the unplanned ones. Sometimes we danced together at the Beach Buddha Bar, other nights we went for a swim in the sea or talked for hours while sitting in the sand. There were evenings filled with laughter and others that were quiet, but all of them felt real. Often, one moment simply led to the next. An evening turned into a night, a night into an early morning run along the beach or a climbing session later that day. Being together felt natural and easy, without pressure or expectations. Those moments showed me how meaningful simple time with the right people can be.
The best Moments are never planned
More than a Semester Abroad
When I look back on the past months, I see clearly how much Spain has changed me. Not because of one single moment, but because of everything together. The difficult beginning. The uncertainty. And the warmth and liveliness that followed. During the early weeks, when I spent a lot of time alone, I learned to confront myself deeply. I learned who I am, what I feel, and what I want. That self reflection showed me how strong I am and how important it is to sometimes simply be alone with yourself. Over time, I started saying yes more often. I became braver and more open. I did things I would never have done before. Drinking coffee alone. Talking to strangers. Waking up at five in the morning to watch the sunrise. In Spain, these things suddenly felt natural and right. I see life with more calmness now. Whether it was my difficult start or the blackout in April, I learned to stay centered and trust that everything will fall into place. This way of approaching life is something I carry with me beyond this experience.
For me, Spain was not just a required part of my studies. It was one of the most important and possibly the most beautiful times of my life.
A time that changed me, helped me grow and will stay with me forever
All texts and images © 2025 Lucine Sarkisian. All rights reserved.