Reflection on Study Abroad:
The six weeks I spent in Valencia, Spain were some of the most memorable and trans-formative weeks of my life. Through these six weeks, I really learned just how much is really out there. I have always been someone really contained to their primary, comfortable bubble. Living in the same small town my whole life, then going to a small college, I haven’t really stepped out of my comfort zone in really any capacity. Traveling across the world, but still with my friends, was a perfect way to have good experiences and make memories, without going completely crazy along the way. I lived with a Spanish host family and this is where I really learned the most Spanish and was able to be the most immersed in the culture. I was able to spend my 19th birthday sitting in a beautiful plaza, in front of a gorgeous cathedral, with a perfect summer night, eating delicious pizza, surrounded by my friends, and listening to the sounds of a violin. There were certainly a few tears shed. Everyday was a new adventure; even just walking to school in the morning, or attempting to get money out of an ATM. I grew so fondly of my roommate and host family, and we grew so close. On my birthday, my host mom even threw a little party, with a cake, and a sign, and they made me my favorite dinner. I loved the pace of Spanish life; as a culture, they took much more time to slow down and enjoy themselves, staying up longer, and going to work later. While I was definitely starting to miss my family, but I really believe that six weeks was the perfect amount of time to start to understand and fully appreciate Spanish culture. Studying abroad certainly is not cheap, and without the help of Cormier Honors College, I would not have been able to take such an amazing trip. While it was expensive, there really is no price that could be put on the incredible experience that was this trip. My level of Spanish expanded so immensely, I made close relationships with new friends in Spain, learned more about myself, and stepped out of my comfort zone. I would not trade my experience for anything.
