Getting to Know Madrid.

Well it has been a little over two weeks that I have been in the colorful and lively country of Spain! I only know this because of Spotify… Apparently, free accounts expire if you're abroad for more than two weeks. I guess I didn't read the fine print closely enough… While slightly annoying, Spotify reminded me that time does indeed fly when you’re having fun, especially when studying abroad.

My last two weeks have been spent taking language classes, exploring Madrid, and getting lost. Seriously, it’s an outrageous amount of getting lost (check out some of the places I stumbled upon below)… But poco a poco (bit by bit) I am learning.

    

One person who is helping me catch on to life in Spain is my host mom, Candela. Kind, spunky, and funny, she has made my days here a little easier. While I was originally nervous about living with a host family, it's wonderful to feel like I actually have a home here. And even when I can't eloquently express myself in Spanish, Candela is always patient and willing to teach me new words or phrases. Plus, have I mentioned the amazing view of the city from the rooftop?

Of course, Candela isn't the only one I speak Spanish with… Madrid is home to over three million people, after all. From cafes to the metro, getting to know the people here has been an interesting experience.  When I initially arrived, I very first thing I noticed was how put together the Spaniards are. Sweatpants and yoga pants are scare among the locals, a somewhat unimaginable sight on the MC Mall…

But having spent some more time in the city since then, I now know that it's not just the clothes that set the Spaniards apart. No, the thing I love the most is how open everyone is. The Spanish have a way of honestly expressing their hearts and minds, something I greatly admire.

Another notable feature? Personal space is more or less unimportant. When I visited El Prado, the elderly woman who served as the group's tour guide was practically glued to my side, enthusiastically tugging on my arms, patting my shoulder, or touching my hair the entire tour. Weird? To Americans, maybe a bit. But to Spaniards? Completely normal. Needless to say, every day here is a learning experience.

And while I may make mistakes (cultural faux pas, anyone?) the important thing is that I am genuinely trying to make the most of my time here. Until next time, friends.

Seize The Moment; Lessons From Caitlin.

Preparing for my study abroad trip to Madrid, Spain has no doubt been an interesting and trying experience. From the overwhelming amount of phone calls and emails, to the towering mountains of paperwork, this past fall semester at Marietta has been a bumpy one. There was one thing that always kept me on track, though... Whenever I felt impossibly overwhelmed, my closest friends were always there, encouraging me to step back and take a "balcony moment." It was when I did so that I was able to see that despite all the stress and red tape that comes with studying abroad, what I will gain from the experience will be unimaginably worthwhile.

One such person who constantly helped remind me of this was Caitlin Yager. Like myself, Caitlin also spent the past semester preparing to study abroad in the spring. Her journey was to take her to Russia. Despite elements like the language barrier and the inevitable cold, I could always see Caitlin's eyes light up and her passion ignite whenever she talked about studying abroad in Russia. It was her blazing passion and energy that often inspired me to look at my study abroad experience through a more positive lens.

Given this, it is beyond surreal when I consider how studying abroad is not something I'll be able to share with Caitlin. However immeasurably unfair, her passing has reminded me of how grateful I am to have the Marietta College McDonough family in my life. Whether it's been offering me support along my study abroad journey, or encouraging me to pursue leadership positions on campus, McDonough has made a world of difference in my life. I am determined, now more than ever, to make every single day abroad worthwhile. For myself and for Caitlin, I will do all I can to ensure my time in Madrid is the adventure of a lifetime.

You may choose to travel to a foreign country, or perhaps you will decide to further explore leadership opportunities on campus... Either way, I encourage you to seize every chance you have to thoughtfully engage with and support those who make up the world around you. We never know when opportunities to do so may be taken away...

As I prepare to depart for Spain in less than a week, I cannot help but be grateful for the time I spent with Caitlin. She's taught me the importance of reaching for new goals and being unafraid to let other ones go while I am abroad. Whether in the classroom or in the real world, encountering new cultural perspectives is a challenging process. We may doubt, regret, or wish we could return to a time when things were much simpler. But we cannot turn back. As life-long learners and citizens of the world, we should embrace the unknown. We mustn't forget that every new opportunity holds the promise of triumph and a brighter, more dazzling tomorrow. And most importantly, we mustn't forget to live.

I look forward to sharing my experiences abroad with you. Stick with me friends. This one's for her.