four days left in Spain

Que Triste.. How sad, the last days here in Salamanca. After a wonderful last weekend with my family in Sevilla and Toledo, I realize how short my time is here. I am counting down until this Saturday, four days left here in Spain. I feel like I still have a lot to take advantage of here. Even though I would like to spend more time living here in Salamanca, I am excited to go home. I think my stay here was just right. My family arrived last Wednesday in Madrid where I met them. It was a strange feeling going to see my parents whom I hadn't seen in 3 months, it was a new experience to me. Since they have been visiting and I have been taking them around I realize just how fast time has passed since I've been here. But I have been staying so busy here and experiencing so much in such a short time that it feels like I have been away for a long time. As I traveled with my family this weekend to Sevilla and Toledo, I realized just how much I have learned from living in Spain. They looked to me to explain to them why the Spanish do things the way they do. I was able to tell them what food to eat, buying practices, explain some Spanish history and explain the practice of siesta. I also realized just how much Spanish I am now able to speak since I could help them get around. I felt that I was more a part of the culture here.



I realize that this trip has changed me, and that when I go home I will not be the same person I was. I now appreciate things at home that I took for granted before. Especially things like having a car and being able to drive which I rely on at home so much. Here in Salamanca I had to get used to walking everywhere, taking more time to get to school. I realized how difficult it is to carry everything you need for the day when you are out on foot. I realize how much time driving saves. Driving is a convenience too often taken for granted. Clean public restrooms are also another thing I have come to appreciate. In most of Europe, public facilities are lower than U.S. standards. You are lucky to even have toilet paper in those bathrooms. Customer service in the states is better than in Spain and most of Europe. Here many people do not get paid adequate wages so they are less motivated to provide quality service. I think when I return home I will have a greater appreciation of people's efforts to provide good service.

My perception of the world has changed. I realize just how small and interrelated the world is. It seems that too often, us Americans get absorbed in our own bubble. We often do not hear about what is going on around the world and act as if it does not affect us at all. Here in Europe, people know about international news, and I feel that sometimes there are Europeans that know more about current events in the U.S. than many Americans know of. In Spanish news there is always international stories featured and they often discuss how it affects them. Another difference is that in Europe people know several different languages and they make an effort to speak other languages when they travel. Here in Europe I feel almost disabled because I am not fluent in another language. For many Americans, knowing a language other than English is a challenge. It is true that in Europe there is more variety of languages and more variety in cultures, but by learning several languages this shows that Europeans are aware of other cultures surrounding them. I know have a greater sense that the American way is not the only way in the world. Traveling to Morocco really broadened my global perspective to realize a whole other way of living that exists.

Finally I feel this experience living abroad has really built my confidence. I realize just what I am capable of since I have adjusted to living comfortably in a foreign country, in a different culture, away from the familiarities, comforts, and conveniences of home. I feel now that I am able to live almost anywhere and adjust. Now I know how to live with other roommates. After all, I managed to live with 5 other girls who I had never met before, in one apartment, in a new country. I will be moving to San Diego to attend UCSD this fall and I feel that I can easily adjust to living there after living abroad. It has not always been an easy adjustment living here, but that’s why I feel accomplished. I feel confident that I can take care of myself now when I am living away from home. From all the good times I have had to the mishaps of traveling, I have grown from my experience here. I am happy with how I have fulfilled my time here. I can't believe it all happened so fast and shortly I will be home!


Eating ice cream in the plaza.