Rely on Your Anchor: One Key to Adjusting Abroad
Everyone has an anchor. An interest, hobby, activity, or passion that tethers them to comfort. Some people have had the same anchor their whole life, and some spend years figuring out what it is. These anchors are essential as a mental reset, no matter where you are or what emotions you are feeling.
Navigating Culture Shock
When I first arrived in Barcelona, I was hit with a wave of culture shock. I felt overwhelmed, having never left the country before and now living on the other side of the world. Adjusting was tricky, but thankfully I knew that I could rely on my anchor. The moment I finished onboarding, orientation, and any other move in tasks, I laced up my sneakers and walked out the door. Whether luck or fate, IFSA moved us into an apartment right next to a public park, with two full-sized basketball courts.
As I approached the court, the familiar sounds of rhythmic dribbling, the swoosh of the net, and the squeak of sneakers on the court were the perfect antidote to homesickness.
How Basketball Changed my Abroad Experience
Basketball is my anchor, and this was exactly what I needed. As I approached the court, the familiar sounds of rhythmic dribbling, the swoosh of the net, and the squeak of sneakers on the court were the perfect antidote to homesickness. In no time, I was on the court with seven strangers, checking the ball and lowering myself into an athletic stance. The moment the ball touches my hands, a smile forms on my face, like a chemical reaction to the leather. One of the beautiful parts about basketball is the connections you can instantly make.
Right after my first session at this court, I had met a group of friends from the nearby university that plays multiple times a week. We exchanged numbers, and they added me to a huge WhatsApp group that organizes pickup basketball. All this on day two of my three-month trip completely calmed any nerves I had about getting homesick. Since then, I meet at least once a week to play basketball.
Sometimes I met friends from the group chat, and sometimes I went alone to make new ones. On the same 80-foot rectangle, I’ve spoken to people from all over the planet, various ages, backgrounds, and personalities. The game that I grew up playing in Atlanta, Georgia, has been the key to making the most of my European travel.
If you’re thinking of going abroad, find your anchor and stick to it. This is in no way an endorsement for the mantra of not trying new things, as that should be the priority of anyone studying abroad. However, in those moments of confusion and chaos in a new land, your anchor will bring you peace and even open doors to new opportunities in a different setting.
Owen McCurdy | Santa Clara University | IFSA Study in Barcelona | Fall 2024