Conquering Travel Anxiety with Study Abroad in Spain

When I first arrived in Sevilla, Spain, I was so excited for everything that lay ahead of me. I wanted to learn as much Spanish as possible, make new friends, and enjoy everything the country had to offer, including travel. 

I’ve always struggled with travel-related anxiety, especially when I don’t have control over every aspect of my plans. I knew I would take some trips through my program with IFSA, and not having each detailed plan in the lead up was scary. I tended to focus on what could go wrong. In the past, I let those fears guide me and stop me from seeking new experiences, but I was adamant that I wouldn’t let that happen in Spain.

Facing fears “a little bit scared”

So, what did I do? I did all the things I was afraid of, and I did them a little bit scared. Let me explain. Every time I tackled a new fear, the particular situation became a little less scary the next time. Pushing my fears down never works, so I’ve learned to talk them out with someone I trust. I lay out everything I’m worried about, then figure out strategies that could help, like taking anti-nausea medication if I was worried about car sickness. 

After I get my feelings out, it’s time to do the scary thing anyway! I know it sounds trite, but facing your fears works. It’s not always easy, but just like with the lead up, I’ve figured out how to make the journey smoother, too. I put music on to relax or take my mind off my worries. I lean on my friends for support, chatting and playing road-trip games like I-Spy.  

My biggest takeaway is that even if my fear does come true (and it has many times), it’s never as bad as I think it will be. Afterwards, I don’t feel so afraid of it anymore because I’ve made it through once.

Start small and build gradually

I worked up to big trips taking little ones, like a cheap, 30-minute bus ride out of the city with my friends, a planned excursion with IFSA. Eliminating some anxiety-producing factors like length or trip planning also helped alleviate stress.
I even worked up to a three-day trip, four hours outside Sevilla by train.  

It may not feel possible now, but you are capable of a lot more than you think. And you deserve to give yourself the chance to prove it.  

Annika S. | Lewis and Clark College | IFSA Seville Universities Program, USevilla, Spain | Spring 2026