As I begin my final week studying Spanish in Salamanca, Spain, I continue to remind myself to never settle in life. A couple of years ago as I approached my late 20’s I was happy. I owned my own home, I drove a brand new car, I had a great-paying job and a husband that loved me with his whole heart and for all my flaws. Yet, I wasn’t happy, I was complacent. I had followed society’s stereotypical path and the next step was to have children. I didn’t want that. I didn’t want to settle for what society told me I was supposed to do next. My insides were burning for more and I no longer loved my husband nor the path society told me I was supposed to follow. I had settled. At age 20 I had made life long impacting decisions and adult Melissa was reminding child Melissa that she didn’t have to settle in life. I had no idea what I wanted to do or where I wanted to go but I knew I no longer wanted to settle for the life I was currently living. There I was, just about 30 years old. I quit my high-paying career of over 7 years, left my devoted husband of almost a decade and went to college for the first time. I took control of my own destiny. I no longer wanted to settle for the decisions I had previously made. To most I “had it all” but on the inside I was empty, yearning for purpose and direction. While I certainly don’t have it all figured out, I certainly am now more in control than I have ever been.

 

 

 

 

Now, at 33, I’m not the youngest person nor the oldest person on this trip but I look to all age groups for new guidance and insight on how I can become a better person each day and not settle for a complacent life. Everybody has a different story and different path. I don’t regret any choices I’ve made in life because they are ultimately what have brought me to this point. A point halfway around the world from the only life I’ve ever known.

 

 

 

 

 

This language immersion program is not my first study abroad experience but it is my first experience living as a minority. I don’t speak much Spanish and I’m surrounded by people, places and things that I cannot read, write or understand. I have never felt more at home and I solely believe it’s all about perspective and attitude. Pushing oneself out of their comfort zone is the most scary and rewarding thing a person can do for themselves. Humility can make or break a person. Adapting to uncomfortable surroundings can test a person’s patience as well as their character and I have passed this life test and then some.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

However, if I had settled I would have never experienced the success of pushing myself beyond my limits. I stumbled, tripped and even fell flat on my face along the way but if I had settled I’d still be laying on the ground. SPC has been a fantastic college experience for me and I want to encourage anyone and everyone reading this to think of at least one thing in life they want to do but haven’t yet and go grab life by the horns; never settle. It could be small or large but be confident that it is doable. As I approach graduation this spring, I’m reminded that I didn’t settle for the socially perfect life I had set in place for myself many years ago but rather I chased a dream of creating my own future. We all have our own reasons for taking this journey across the pond and they are as diverse as we all are but for me I didn’t want to settle for complacency in my life ever again.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I can’t thank Profesora Levin, SPC, Dr. Law, and all the professors here at Estudio Sampere in Spain for the part they played in making this adventure as memorable as possible. Aim high and never settle in life! Safe travels to the rest of our group wherever our dreams may take us.