From Cohort 2022, Ellena Yazdani is currently in her third year at Simon Fraser University majoring in Political Science and minoring in Sociology. Recently, Ellena took a leap of faith by studying abroad in Madrid, Spain—a journey that transformed her perspective on change and self-growth.
Though initially hesitant to travel without her comfort zone of family and friends, Ellena’s time in Madrid became a life-changing adventure. From adapting to a new culture and language to managing responsibilities like cooking, cleaning, and academics, she grew immensely in independence and intercultural competence. Her experience taught her to embrace life’s discomforts, turning challenges into opportunities for growth. Read more about Ellena’s experiences below.
Who are you? Tell us a little bit about yourself?
My name is Ellena Yazdani, and I am from Cohort 2022! Born and raised in Vancouver, I have lived here my entire life. Currently in my third year at Simon Fraser University, I am majoring in Political Science and minoring in Sociology. Beyond my studies, I am a curious and passionate learner who cherishes family time, enjoys going to the gym, experimenting with new recipes, and exploring diverse cuisines.
Recently, I completed a semester abroad in Madrid, Spain. While I’ve always loved the idea of traveling, doing it without my comfort zone of familiar people was something I never thought I could face.
This is the story of how stepping out of my comfort zone to travel independently became the most invaluable and transformative experience of my life.
What inspired you to go on exchange in the first place?
My whole life, I have been captivated by the unknown, yet I was never brave enough to actually explore it. Always confined within the walls of my comfort zone, I struggled to allow myself to experience anything beyond me and my small circle. I have moved dozens of times across Vancouver, and finally being settled in one place with a day-to-day routine and little change brought a sense of ease I was not ready to let go of—even temporarily.
I had heard a lot about exchange programs; it was as though they were calling my name everywhere I went. As I scanned through the list of cities hosting exchange students from SFU, Spain stood out to me. It had always been a dream of mine to visit Madrid.
After thorough research, I decided to apply. Before I knew it, I was accepted. This was hard to process because I couldn’t believe it was actually happening. I would have to leave home, pack my belongings, and move across the world for four months. I was going on an exchange, and I was feeling a whirlwind of emotions—excitement, nervousness, and strength, among others.
So, what was the process like? What are some highlights from your trip?
I let my curiosity transcend borders, and it turned out to be the best decision I ever made.
Traveling abroad gifted me with unforgettable memories, so I thought—why not share some of my favorite moments to inspire anyone considering studying abroad? Moving from right to left, here are some highlights of my journey:
- Going to the Pena Palace and Castle of the Moors in Sintra, Portugal! (Image 1 & 2)
- Having the BEST tapas of my life in Lisbon, Portugal (Image 3)
- Seeing the Setas de Sevilla in REAL LIFE (Image 4)
- Meeting amazing people and friends and hosting a cultural Halloween potluck! (Image 5)
- The fruits were the most organic and juiciest fruits I have EVER tasted (Image 6)
- Finally riding Tram 28 in Lisbon, Portugal (Image 7)
- Visiting one of the Canary Islands, Lanzarote! (Image 8)
And overall, what did you learn?
As I cried on the plane to Madrid, my best friend reassured me, saying, “I promise you, you’re crying now because you don’t want to leave home, but you’ll cry on your way back because you won’t want to leave.” Soon enough, I understood her point. I realized that sometimes we need to step into the mud and embrace the messiness of life, even when it’s uncomfortable. Change was undoubtedly scary, but once I learned to welcome it with open arms, I saw just how beautiful it could be.
Coming to Madrid, I can confidently say I’ve become a changed person. I never imagined I would adapt to an environment so vastly opposite from what I’m used to back home. In Madrid, Spanish is the dominant language, the nightlife is incomparable to Vancouver (and yes, malls don’t close at 6 PM on Sundays!), the food is rich with Latin and European culture, and the music is absolutely addictive. Over these last four months, my intercultural competence and independence have grown tremendously—probably more than they did in the past year.
Although living abroad has been fun, it has come with its fair share of responsibilities. From managing my home environment and communicating with locals in a different language to staying organized while traveling between countries, cooking, cleaning, and balancing a full semester of academics, I’ve learned to balance it all.
If you had to do it all over again from the very beginning, what are three things you wish you would have known before embarking on this adventure?
Homesickness is real.
At first, things will be difficult, and you might feel like going back because you miss home. In fact, homesickness hit me the hardest for the first two weeks, but once you push through that stage, it gets much better.
Planning in advance will be to your advantage.
Upon arrival, take advantage of the support services offered to exchange students to access student discounts on transit cards, gym memberships, SIM cards, and more. Doing all of this during my first week put me well ahead of the game! Oh, and if you are planning on travelling to neighbouring countries, book your tickets well in advance to secure the best rates.
Don’t rush into friendships.
During your first week, you’ll meet a lot of new people and may feel the urge to latch onto anyone you can find. Don’t worry, that’s completely normal, especially when you’re missing home or feeling lonely! Over time, you’ll find your people, and those friendships will be ones you’ll always cherish.
I met some of my closest friends in the most unexpected ways. One memorable moment was when I struggled to communicate with the librarian in Spanish during my first week, and a girl in line stepped in to help translate. She’s a local from Spain, and we’ve remained great friends ever since.
Thanks for sharing, Ellena! Bon voyage!
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