So… my phone got stolen. Moreover, my phone got stolen while I was visiting Barcelona. But it happens, and it’s just a phone.

I am studying in Florence, so Barcelona is not a place I can navigate myself very well. Watching yourself adapt quickly to what you do when you don’t have GPS or general contact with the outside world can be so much fun when things like this happen.

For a bit more context, I was lucky because I was initially traveling with four girls in my program, and they let me use their phone to let my family know what happened and for me to make a game plan. We were, however, splitting for them to travel to Seville and for my solo travel to Lisbon, Portugal.

Here are the people I was lucky to meet when I needed help:

The man working the front desk at my hostel

This was my first stop when my phone was stolen. I needed to print boarding passes, find a local store with a burner phone and honestly, just someone to complain to about what happened. Like everyone else down the list, he was sympathetic to my situation and happy to do anything I needed help with. The neighborhood I was staying in was tough to navigate without any knowledge, so he gave me specific markers I should see to find places I needed to get to.

Mandi

Mandi is a woman I met in a bar in Barcelona. She works for the UN in London doing environmental ethics, the exact job I want. I would never have introduced myself to her if I had a phone, and I would have easily pulled out my phone and spent my time on it instead of conversing with a stranger. She told me all about London, and I shared my knowledge of Florence. By the end of our conversation, I had a phone number, an offer for a couch to sleep on and a free “‘fry-up” (breakfast) if I ever chose to come to London.

Bella

When I told my mom my phone was stolen, she contacted her friends to ensure I had someone to lean on if I needed it. Bella and I went to elementary school together, and although we aren’t super close anymore, she is an incredible friend. My mom contacted Bella and ensured we would meet up to get everything I needed to be more comfortable for my journey. While sitting at lunch with her before my flight, I pulled out a pen and paper and had her help me map the metro stops I needed to know to get to the airport. While sitting there, knees touching, handwriting my directions, I felt transported back to when we were in school together. No distractions of other people contacting and interrupting our short and precious time together. After so many years, we reconnected, laughing, crying and speaking of everything we’ve missed in each other’s lives.

Alex and Josh

While at the metro station, with written directions in hand, I heard a language and accent I recognized. If I had a phone, I would have kept to myself and let the time on the Metro pass, but I had nothing better to do than introduce myself. These two boys were from Orange County, California, and were highly sympathetic to my situation. They held my stuff while I readjusted my bag and helped me pass the 45-minute train ride to the airport.

A few more people along the way were more than willing to help when I needed directions and someone to chat with. For this experience, I am forever grateful.

I am disappointed my phone was stolen, but it taught me so much about myself. Firstly, I was forced to step out of my comfort zone and meet more people than I would have before. People are generally lovely and are willing to help when you need it. This is such an important reminder. There is so much good out there if you try and find it. Secondly, my social skills post-COVID were gone, like most people. I had to make a conscious effort to talk to people, which made me feel like I was back in a world where you could speak to the people around you. It felt so liberating to require help because it forced me to revert to my social self. The overall lesson I took away from this experience is that sometimes a super inconvenient thing, like not having a distraction or a GPS, can be an essential experience to have.

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Learn more about this blogger’s study abroad program: Florence University of the Arts