Beginning of My Journey 

August 25th. I stepped on a plane headed 3,584 miles from New York to Madrid, filled with excitement and disbelief. Studying abroad had always felt like a distant dream - something I’d talk about but couldn’t quite imagine doing. Now, it was real. I was a student spending four months in Madrid, traveling around Europe, and getting a new perspective on the world. I felt confident and prepared to begin this journey. Having spent the majority of my life going to sleepaway camp over the summer, I was used to leaving home for months at a time. However, knowing I wasn’t alone on this journey helped ease my nerves. I was going to Madrid with four of my closest friends - and more importantly, I knew several of my Alpha Epsilon Phi sisters from Tulane University would be there too. Having a sense of a built-in community made the transition more comforting and less overwhelming. 

My first night out with my AEPhi sisters, all doing the iconic “phi” sign that symbolizes sisterhood 

Stepping Out of My Comfort Zone 

From the very first night of freshman year at Tulane, I became part of a tight-knit friend group of ten girls. What started as a casual dinner turned into lasting friendships that have supported me for the past two years. When we all decided to study abroad, it wasn’t easy to split up. However, we all made the conscious decision to grow outside of our circle. Four of us went to Barcelona, four to Madrid, and two to Amsterdam. Studying in Madrid was a priority for me as I have always wanted to live in a large Spanish-speaking country and immerse myself in a culture I have always admired. Though I was proud of myself for being my person and not letting others influence my decision, there were nerves with stepping into the unknown. That’s when I realized just how lucky I was to have another kind of sisterhood waiting for me - my sorority sisters from Alpha Epsilon Phi.  

Experiencing Oktoberfest with my AEPhi sister and trying the famous pretzels together! 

Creating Bonds in Madrid 

One of my goals while studying abroad was to reconnect with girls in my sorority whom I didn’t see often on campus. Madrid felt like the perfect place to do it - away from the usual routines at Tulane, and everyone had the chance for a fresh start. I reached out to some of my AEPhi sisters to grab coffee, go shopping, or meet up for dinner. It was apparent that we had many similarities, and I felt a sense of sisterhood. One of my favorite memories from abroad was organizing a tapas night with ten girls in AEPhi. Putting in the effort early on in my abroad experience made a huge difference. I felt a sense of belonging, and it provided me stability in a time of big change. 

Checking off exploring Retiro Park with my sorority sisters! 

Unexpected Friendships & Memorable Experiences 

My mindset shifted as the semester went on. Initially, I expected to reconnect with some girls in my sorority, with whom I wasn’t super close at Tulane. Instead, those connections quickly became something much deeper. These girls weren’t just people to grab dinner with or go shopping with - they became the people I turned to for advice, encouragement, and everything. They pushed me out of my comfort zone and encouraged me to be the most confident version of myself. Traveling to Reykjavik, Iceland, was one of the most memorable experiences abroad and in my life. Traveling to a new place with new friends was surreal - seeing the Northern Lights, going snowmobiling on a glacier, visiting a volcano, and going to the Blue Lagoon. My trip to Iceland with my AEPhi sisters led me to realize that there was more to abroad than just traveling the world. It was about creating a new type of home with people I never expected. 

Sharing firsts - under the magic of the Northern Lights 

What Sisterhood Means to Me 

In AEPhi at Tulane, the importance of sisterhood is strongly emphasized. To help members build connections, AEPhi has hosted coffee trucks, jewelry making, and movie nights to foster new friendships. The events are friendly and exciting, but I was able to see the true definition of sisterhood during my journey in Madrid. Going abroad, I knew the friendships I intended to make wouldn’t just be handed to me. I put in effort to create meaningful bonds and do more than just share experiences with friends. I wanted sisters who would be there for me during the toughest of times. It was so special when we all introduced each other to our individual friends and were our authentic selves around each other. I learned that sisterhood means more than sharing an organization or tradition with a group of girls - it’s about having people who feel like family and show genuine care at all times. 

Our last night abroad, all together in our matching “I heart Madrid” shirts - memories that will last forever 

Taking Home More than Postcards 

My study abroad experience helped me grow more confident, independent, and allowed me to step outside of my comfort zone. At the beginning of my time abroad, my focus was on telling everyone about all the new cities and countries I traveled to. My focus shifted and became forming meaningful connections with new people. The relationships I formed with my AEPhi sisters fostered a sense of community and belonging, especially when times were overwhelming. Though I discovered 12 new countries, I also found friends who turned into sisters. This sisterhood will stick with me forever, whether I am in Madrid, New Orleans, or wherever life takes me in the future!