Writing this blog makes me melancholy. It makes the thought of this trip being over, real.

My trip is over.

I came on this trip expecting one thing and I have experience a whole other. I came to Spain with the mindset of, ‘I need a vacation.’ Although it has been loads of fun it has been a lot of work too. While living in Spain I have walked too many miles to count. I have also been in tutoring non-stop. Our classes are vigorous and challenging. This is not a vacation. It is better! We have walked to so many sites enjoying the language and culture, laughed off so many mistakes in tutoring, and concord so many challenges that arose in class. I have learned more than I thought I would and I have grown more than I thought I would, for the better.

During the tours of the huge towers I was able to understand most, if not all, of what the tour guide was saying. Being able to tell people I know Spanish is an incredible feeling. Not only did I enjoy the language during the tours but also; the architecture, the views, and the re-connection with what I believe through all that we saw.

During this trip, I have met so many wonderful people who I am glad to call my friends. My classmates in Spanish 4 who share my confusion on what is going on in the class, the women who look after me as if I am their own child, the young adults my age to keep me laughing, and all the ages in between constantly teaching me about new things, such as rummy. All these people have changed my life for the better and then I have my roommate.

My roommate Isabella, who at this point I can’t imagine living without. She has looked out for me and I have come to love her and her spirit, even if we don’t have the same views. Her open-mindness and kindness has made our friendship everlasting.

I could drag on and on about how much this trip, and the people. The woman who has done the most for me is Professor Levin. She has impacted my life. It has been a blessing and a privilege to meet this wonderful woman. She took me under her wing and mentored me during times of hardship, encouraging me to continue fighting. I would not be where I am today without her. There were some days along my Spanish journey where I thought it was impossible and I would avoid work so I wouldn’t fail. But she has taught me that if you don’t succeed you learn. I am eternally grateful for this woman. She is a huge reason I am now succeeding my goal in slowly becoming fluent in Spanish. But I still have learning to do… which means my trip is over but my journey is just beginning.

Thank you to everyone and study abroad for making this amazing trip possible.