Last Post From Spain, America Here I Come

This will be my last post from Spain as I am leaving for the airport tomorrow morning around 5 AM. Leaving is definitely bittersweet, though now that I have had to say goodbye to most of the other students (including my PiC), and get everything packed up, I am just ready to get the trip over with.

I have managed to fit my life into one large suitcase, a duffel bag, a backpack, and a laptop case. My strategy for packing was “if it doesn’t fit it’s not coming.” Getting everything packed and ready, the apartment clean, etc. did still take me about 4 hours. Then there were the endless trips to the dumpster in the scorching heat, and a last minute gift run for a few members of my family.

Now I am just sitting and waiting. I will head down to dinner at about 8:45 to eat and watch France play Portugal alongside one of my roommates and one other exchange student that still happens to be here. Then it is to bed (if I can even sleep), and then off to the airport for an 18 hour journey tomorrow morning. Luckily I will be armed with sleeping pills, and I also have a decent amount of work I hope to get done on my laptop.

The study abroad experience has been, overall, amazing. However I definitely recommend staying for a year as I did, those that only stayed one semester either had to pack everything they wanted to do into a very short period, or never really left home (mentally) at all. Being in Spain has given me my first real “alternative culture” experience. There are tons of things you never realize, not only about the host country but also your own, until you spend some time living and immersing yourself elsewhere.

I guess that’s about it. I could draw this out into a long and emotional post, but that’s not really my style. To all of those I met/knew in Spain, it has truly been a pleasure. To all of those I know/knew in the States, I haven’t forgotten you, and will be ready to do lots of catching up as soon as I touch down.