When I first started this program, the feeling of being lost overwhelmed me. Venturing into the unknown alone, in a new country, city, and language, stirred a mixture of undeniable fear and unexplainable excitement within me. The prospect of delving into something so unfamiliar left me stirring with uncertainty. I had no clue what to expect when I set foot in the vibrant city of Valencia. People I spoke to about Valencia only had praises for “the sunny city by the sea,” which, although reassuring, left me struggling with where to begin.
It was in this state of uncertainty that my program director gifted me with a piece of advice that would prove to be the turning point in my semester abroad: Get lost in Valencia. No directions, no prior knowledge—just wander and see what you find along the way. At first, I found this notion a bit absurd. Why wouldn’t I use my GPS to navigate the unfamiliar streets? So, initially, I dismissed this philosophy and clung to my phone for guidance. However, I soon discovered that inadvertently, I had confined myself within the boundaries of my technological safety net and limited my experiences to the routes on my phone.
Wasn’t the whole point of this journey to break free from my comfort zone? Realizing that I was neglecting my own ambitions, I hesitantly put my phone away, plugged in some headphones, and started walking with no destination. Little did I know that this would turn out to be the longest and most rewarding walk of my life.
In the course of my exploration, I unearthed the very heart of Valencia. Locals basked in the sunlight, savoring tapas and sangria, while couples, friends, and individuals reveled in the simple pleasures of life. It was then that the true significance of getting lost became apparent. I saw international students like myself befriended locals and engage in conversations with broken Spanish. I witnessed the genuine excitement of locals when trying to communicate in their language. The happiness emitting from the beautiful parks full of people simply enjoying the moment further cemented this understanding.
Valencia’s natural and architectural beauty mesmerized me at every turn, from breathtaking plazas to connected streets steeped in history. I found myself falling deeply in love with this city, realizing that it wasn’t about where I came from but about belonging to a shared experience. It wasn’t merely about getting lost in the city; it was about losing myself in the richness of the adventure.
Salsa classes, tapas, siestas, fiestas, fresh produce, language practice—these were no longer “things” but threads that weaved me into the very soul of Valencia. It wasn’t just about getting lost in the city; it was about getting lost in a transformative journey. Embrace it, relish it, and become a part of the vibrant culture that defines Valencia.
In this new place, the call to let go is impossible to ignore. All you have to do is get lost!
Kelsey Dias is a student at the University of Massachusetts Amherst and an ISA Featured Blogger. She is studying with ISA in Valencia, Spain.