Saying Goodbye

There really aren't words for my experience here. I can try and spin images from my memory into words, but it won't capture the true essence of my experience. My trip to Granada was one of dreams and movies but better and worse in a way. Better because it actually happened but worse because unlike a movie, I can't rewind and play it again when I'm reminiscing about my six weeks here. I'm left with my words, pictures, and memories. But words and pictures capture only a moment and memories fade. 

Thinking back over the last six weeks, I'm pleasantly surprised to report that I learned more than just the language. I learned about myself and I learned about the world I live in. I came here with my feet solidly on the ground with a full understanding of who am I and what I wanted from this life and over the course of this trip, that's changed. I'm not just the University of Michigan student who wants to have a good job when I grow up anymore. I don't have to rigidly hold myself to my beliefs of the best way to do things or tell myself that there are things in this world that are impossible to achieve or experience. Because this trip was impossible. I couldn't have ever believed I'd spend a night at a hostel staying up watching Harry Potter movies with people from all of the world and drinking a glass of wine. Or that my favorite place in the entire world is somewhere I've only ever dreamed about in books. I've been in places and touched walls that are older than my country, and I've met people who can trace their ancestry back hundreds of years. I've walked streets and heard up to five different languages being spoken and I've seen those same people laugh, the most universal sound in the world. I've met people and had the most rewarding conversations with people who don't speak my native tongue because a smile and a laugh is the same in all languages. 

I'm going to miss the little things the most. I'm going to miss walking by my neighbor in the mornings and hearing his laugh because I woke up ten minutes ago, I'm rushing out the door, and I forgot he doesn't speak English so instead of hola comes out "Hi, how are you today?" I'm going to miss getting lost in the city and seeing school children run and play with each other. I'm going to miss walking down the street and turning left and walking until I end up at the most beautiful view of the Alhambra and Rio Darro that I've ever seen. But most of all, I'm going to miss the people. The people that I stop on the streets for directions and we wind up talking about the differences between Spain and America. The people that take you under their wind and teach you to dance flamenco and the "Spanish Way" so you don't look like such an American. As I'm writing this, I'm trying to find words to capture how open and accepting the people I've met here are but none of the words do them justice. 

Spain has become my second home. It's as simple as that. 

My advice for potential students? 

Don't make excuses. Make plans. Studying abroad, no matter where you go, is life changing. Whether you have an internship or you think you have to work, those things can wait because you'll  be doing it the rest of your life. It's very common in America to be scared to go after your dreams or the things you want, but your trip will be so much better if you let those fears ride in the backseat. Don't be afraid to talk to someone in your broken and improving new language. Don't be afraid to try new things because you don't know if you'll like them. 

Let yourself explore the city and yourself. You'll be amazed at what you find. People get stuck in a pattern of doing and thinking the same things and studying abroad is a great way to break that cycle and find out who you really are and what you want. 

Don't spend all your time with your American friends. You'll get comfortable and miss opportunities to talk to natives or experience new things. 

Make lasting connections with people. Not only will it be amazing to have friends from a different country, but you'll be able to continue to practice the language and if you ever come back, you'll have people waiting there for you. 

Don't just do the typical tourists attractions. Sure, they're great and all but are you really going to remember the date something was built or the name of the person who built it? It's so much more rewarding to explore on your own and find the things that have meaning to you. 

Pack light. Baggage wise and expectation wise. You're not going to the country to change it, you're there for it to change you. That won't happen if you stubbornly stick to your idea of how things have to be. And clothes from different countries are way cuter. If you can, I highly recommend a shopping trip while there!

"Don't be sad it's over, be happy it happened."

This is going to be my motto the entire way home. I'm going to miss Spain with all my heart, and I'll be counting the days until I find my way back again.