I Just Finished 6 Weeks Of Study Abroad, What's Next?

Hello! I hope this week’s edition of Launch Letter finds you well!

Today, I’m writing from the Madrid airport, waiting to catch my flight back to the States. I just wrapped up a 6 week long study abroad program in Spain, and it was one of the most incredible things I’ve ever gotten to experience. Now, I’ve got 7 weeks of summer left, and I want to make the most of them.

In today’s Launch Letter, I’m gonna break down my biggest takeaways from studying abroad, and how I’m going to use the next 7 weeks to be productive and reach my goals (getting Launch Letter to 100 subs, and getting an internship for next summer). Let’s jump right in!

First Off, Study Abroad Is Incredible.

When I left for Spain, I was a whirlwind of emotions. The school year had just finished, and I only had one week to spend with my loved ones before leaving. It was going to be my first time outside of the US, and I felt a crazy blend of excitement, apprehension, and nerves.

I got on the plane entirely unsure of what would be waiting for me on the other side, but luckily, the 6 weeks that followed exceeded every expectation I had.

The Experiences Are Great, But The People Make The Trip.

I could rave for hours about all of the incredible things I got to see. The bustling streets and incredible architectural wonders of Barcelona were so vibrant. The peaks and valleys of the Spanish countryside held so many wonderful views. Waterfalls cascading into ponds made for picturesque swimming holes to spend a relaxing afternoon in.

But, what really made my Spain trip special wasn’t the places, it was the people.

Going into the trip, I only knew 2 people out of the 40 going on the trip. I wondered how close I could really get with the other 37 over such a small time. But now that its come to an end, I find myself wondering how I could ever ask such a silly question.

Despite all the cool stuff I mentioned earlier, what lasts the longest won’t be the memories of crazy buildings or panoramic views. Sure, that stuff was great, and I’m so glad I got to experience it.

But, what will really endure, is all of the friendships I made. Everyone single person on the trip taught me something new about the world and I’m so grateful I got to meet so many wonderful people. Experiences are temporary, but relationships last a lifetime.

I’ll never forget one of my friends teaching us how to play this game, Blood On The Clocktower. It pits two teams, good and evil, against each other. You have to use your wits and charisma to figure out whose who, and try to eliminate the other team before its too late.

We played that game every single night on the last weekend, and seeing everyone laughing and shouting, trying to convince everyone they weren’t evil, is something I’ll never forget. I truly formed memories and bonds that will last my whole life during my time in Spain.

Now I’ve Got 7 Weeks, What’s Next?

Study abroad was great, and I want to translate that same positive energy into my goals when I return. Once I get back, I want to hit the ground running. My first priority will be spending time with my family and friends, but I’ll also have so much more free time to work on myself and my projects. The fall is internship application season, and I really want to get a gig for next summer.

So, I’ve got to keep building the resume, and I’ve got two main focuses.

1. Continue My Freelance Work

   If you read last week’s version, you’ll know that I’ve been doing some freelance work for a cleaning company in Texas. So far, I’ve made an AI client texting chrome extension and automated some spreadsheets to help with lead outreach. I’m going to continue working for them, and my next job is to setup email marketing / outreach, which I’m very excited for.

2. Devote More Time To Personal Projects

   Since I’ll have more free time, I want to devote a little extra time to just exploring and learning in the world of computer science. I have a few personal projects that I’m working on, with the main being a virtual space for far-away loved ones to hang out in. I think having a deployed, full-stack project (hopefully with some users!) could really make me stand out.

At the start of the summer, I set the two goals above as benchmarks for my summer success. Last week, we crossed the $500 goal from my freelance work. Super proud of getting that one done, and want to keep making money over the course of the summer.

The second goal, growing Launch Letter, has been much less successful. To try and get the ball rolling on that one, I want to do two things. One, make sure that every week’s edition is top notch. I want to ensure every edition provides value and feels authentic. If I’m not doing that, no one will read it.

And two, really ramp up my social media posting (specifically on Twitter). This means multiple tweets, every day, that pack value and drive engagement. I want to commit to a specific niche and keep my messaging consistent so followers know what to expect when I post. Figuring that out will be a process, but I’m excited to devote time and effort to it.

Just get back from an awesome trip?

Reply and let me know how it went for you!

Till next time,

-Kirby