My name is Mia Gibb, and I am a fourth-year student studying Global and Community Health. I have been fortunate enough to have participated in two study abroad programs with UCSC. The first program I went on was the Global Seminar: Travel Writing in Ireland in Summer 2022. I then went back overseas to study Spanish Language and Culture in Madrid, Spain at Complutense University of Madrid during Spring 2024.
From the moment I learned about studying abroad, I knew it was something I wanted to do. Being a first-generation, low-income, EOP college student, I had no idea where to begin or how I was going to achieve this goal of mine, but I was determined to make it happen by any means. In speaking with the Global Learning Team, I learned that I was able to utilize my financial aid in both programs and that there were many scholarships available. The Gilman International Scholarship, which I received, helped tremendously, granting me the opportunity to go abroad. I was first introduced to the Global Seminar in a class where the professor, Steve Coulter, gave a presentation. Soon after, I went straight to the global learning office to talk about how I could apply for this program. The Global Learning team helped me every step of the way from the moment I stepped into my first appointment to the time I left on my flight to Ireland. Being in Ireland was like a fairy tale. Green landscapes, colorful cottages, light grey rain clouds, and fluffy white sheep filled the big windows on our bus as we made our way from the Kerry Airport to our new home for the next four weeks. It was nothing like I’d ever seen before; I couldn’t help but smile. I thought to myself, this is exactly what the younger me always dreamed of. Who would have thought that this young girl from San Francisco would be 5,000 miles away, seeing the world in ways nobody in her family had ever seen? This experience solidified my passion for traveling. My Ireland trip was one filled with light and laughter. I hiked mountains full of sheep, explored Irish music culture, and chatted with locals. I felt almost as if I had begun to find myself as one with the locals; however, returning to Santa Cruz was an entirely different experience for me.
Returning to the United States after Ireland, I couldn’t shake the longing to travel again. I felt a pull to explore other study abroad opportunities, to discover new places, and to chase that feeling of freedom and growth I had experienced abroad. However, my time at UCSC during my sophomore and junior years was anything but easy. The light and beauty of Ireland quickly faded as I returned to reality. I was faced with the many challenges that come with being a first-generation college student: financial struggles, feelings of being lost and overwhelmed, and the weight of burnout. I found myself questioning everything: What am I even doing with my life? That feeling of community that I began to feel in Ireland felt out of reach once again. I felt this disconnect in my daily life that made me feel so alone. I was in a headspace that was hindering my growth as a student, and I couldn’t figure out how to get myself out of it. At my lowest point, I made a decision—I needed a change. I needed to pull myself out of the rut I was in and step into something new.
I had always dreamed of studying abroad in Spain, so when the opportunity to study for a quarter in Madrid presented itself, I jumped on it without hesitation. This time, my journey wasn’t just about academics or travel, but it was about finding myself. I knew that to grow, I needed to leave the comfort of my familiar surroundings. Spain wasn’t the fairy tale I experienced in Ireland, but it quickly became the most impactful chapter of my life so far. The difference between my two experiences ultimately came down to the motivating factors of both trips.
Traveling alone, navigating the city by myself, using my Spanish in a completely new way, and meeting people from all over the world—all while trying to understand and rediscover who I was—shaped me in ways I couldn’t have imagined. There were moments I felt like I wasn’t doing enough, but looking back, I see now that I was doing everything I needed to. I was working on myself while also experiencing incredible things. I traveled through Spain and Europe, managed my time and responsibilities, and embraced the independence that came with living abroad. Most importantly, I realized that what matters most to me is community. In Madrid, I found a community that showed me the beauty of life’s exploration. They taught me that feeling lost doesn’t mean you’ll stay that way forever. Sometimes, it takes stepping out of your comfort zone and into the unfamiliar to truly see your potential. This experience changed me in ways I can’t fully put into words. It taught me resilience, self-reliance, and the value of embracing the unknown. I wouldn’t be who I am today without my time in Madrid, and for that, I will forever be grateful.