Author: Elyse Waanders

I’m shocked to say that I’ve already been here in Spain for over a month! Everyday seems to be passing by quicker than the last. I thought I should share some pictures from my weekend in Sevilla. My host family and I drove down to Sevilla the weekend before last. The drive was only about 2hr 15min. We spent the day walking around the city looking at all the beautiful buildings and enjoying the sun. Such a beautiful city, it’s definitely on my list of places to go back to. While we were in Sevilla I got to meet up with a friend who had studied abroad in a town near mine in California that I had met through greenheart. It was was almost like a little break, talking to someone who knows what life is like back home. It made me not feel so far from home.
While Sevilla was amazing but short lived, I’m very thankful for having gotten to go. I have realized that while I’m not traveling throughout Spain I have a much more unique opportunity that I, unfortunately, will probably never have again, even if I study abroad in college. I get to be a part of another family, an insider to the culture. It’s a completely different experience than just visiting another country. I am living the daily life of a Spanish family, going to the high school, eating every meal with the family, being fully immersed in the culture. It’s very overwhelming at times but it’s more fulfilling. If someone were to ask me why they should study abroad in high school, I’d say just that. There’s really no other opportunity like it. Studying abroad in college I’m sure is an equally exciting experience but completely different, it’s more about the traveling and going to the university and the party of it all. Studying abroad in high school is really the chance to create a second home and family. Though I never knew how challenging it would be I’m very thankful to have the opportunity and trusted myself enough to take the leap.

Until next time (when I have enough energy to write haha)
¡Adiós!

I made it through the first week here in Don Benito! It was a bit of a culture shock to say the least, from meeting new people everyday, a school much different from mine back home, a town much different from what I’m used to, to hearing Spanish everyday all day and not being able to communicate very well. But I have to say the best way to handle it all is with laughter. Each day I’m learning so much, it can be very exhausting, so the midday siesta I’ve become accustom to. I joined the local gym and I’ve found that a good workout is the perfect way to relieve the stress of culture shock.

I love talking with my host family and my friends about the differences between life here and my life back home. School is very different and everyone is very interested in high school in the US. Luckily my mom is sending me my yearbook so I can show pictures of my high school and compare how different it is.

One thing I love here is how close everything is, that we can walk everywhere and there are always people out and about. One thing my friends do a lot is go out to the main avenue, that has all the shops, and sit in a café in the plaza and just chat about everything. And all my friends are very stylish so it’s fun to get dressed up and go out at night.

The language is tough for me but little by little I’m learning it everyday. I miss everyone back home but I’m having a good time so it’s hard to think about it too much. I’m very lucky to be here and I’m enjoying the time I have, because I can already tell it’s going to go by very fast!

¡Adiós!

After my flight was delayed for four hours I finally made it to Madrid and met up with the other students. We dropped our things off at the hotel and went out to lunch. The food was delicious and I had flan for dessert, the Spanish version of creme brûlée basically.

After lunch we had our orientation that got me very excited to meet my host family and see where I will be staying.

I have to say, what I’ve seen so far, Spain is a lively place with people always doing something from running or rollerblading in the park to dressing up like Michael Jackson and dancing in the plaza! We walked around Retiro Park which was huge and somewhat reminded me of Central Park. For dinner we got to try bocadillo calamares, which is basically Calamari stuffed in sandwich buns! It was…interesting, not bad!

After dinner we headed back to the hotel to get some rest for another eventful day ahead of us! Can’t wait
¡Buenas noches!

I can’t believe the day is already here! Friday night my mom threw me a surprise going away party with all my close friends and family. It was great to see everyone before I left. Not only did she throw the party she also had all the guests write me a letter so that every week while I’m gone I can open a letter from a loved one back home.

People always ask me why I want to study abroad and I always think in my head…”why wouldn’t you?!” My answer is that I’m lucky enough to have the support of my parents and have been exposed to traveling since a young age that I would be crazy to pass up such an amazing opportunity.

Saying goodbye to everyone was hard but I know the time will go by so fast! I can’t wait for all the awesome experiences that lie ahead!

Off to the airport to New York!