In my AP World History Class I had to fill out a map of Europe. Of course I started off with Spain. After five minutes, I realized that I had been outlining the country over and over again the whole time. I had doodled SPAIN across the top of my paper, and then proceeded to tell all of my desk mates again how I had been accepted by AFS to spend a year in Spain. I don't know what I am going to do for the next five months, If Spain is all I can think about. My excitement has turned into a little bit more of an obsession. I've found myself thinking about what my next blog post will be about, or contemplating whether or not I should bring certain articles of clothing with me, or researching how much my suitcase can weigh for our departure, which seems like centuries from now (by the way). Even though I have over-thought just about every aspect of my trip... truth is, I am still in complete awe. I cannot believe that next year at this time, I will be living in another country, speaking another language, at a new school, with new friends and a new family. One of my teachers stated it pretty well "You're life is about to change completely, FOREVER!" I've thought about that statement a lot, and any other fifteen year old might be terrified, but not me. I am going to miss so much about my family, friends and country, but I am so ready to begin this incredible journey. So to let a little Spain out of my system, I made two lists... one listing everything I am going to miss and another one listing everything I am looking forward to.
USA
-Flavor blasted goldfish
-Family
-Mattie's (younger sister) freshman year in high school
-Church
-My best friends
-Vacationing with the family
-New basement room
-Thanksgiving
-Iphone
-Neighborhood
-Rugby
-Field Hockey
-Cheerleading
-Basketball games
SPAIN
-Siesta
-Host Family
-New Friends
-New School
-My classes (in spanish)
-Learning more spanish
-Hopefully becoming fluent
-Writing this blog
-New House/Room
-Family visiting at Christmas time
-Tapas
-More amazing spanish food
-Spanish Culture/Festivities/Holidays
-Sara (older sister) will be living close by in Belgium
-Taking up a new sport?
-Shopping
-Meeting other AFSers going to Spain
-Having more independence
Hey Megg, I feel like you probably have read some of my blog, so you know I am currently in Spain, in Malaga. And I leave to come home in less than 7 days. I have been here for ten months, and I can tell you, I was just like you. Totally confident. Whenever someone asked me if I was going to miss things, I sort of shrugged it off, saying "no..". When I got to spain, I really saw how great life was in America, and all the things I had there that I now didnt have here, and here comes the hard part. Finding things in Spain (be it things you had in America, sports, piano, etc, or trying new things like photography classes, pottery classes, etc.) You have to make yourself busy, becuase if you dont you will think A LOT about america. Everyone has their low points. I had one VERY low point on Thanksgiving (you can read about it on my blog..) and another sort of low point in January. But it does get better if you let it. But like I said, the first two weeks are amazing, but then it starts becoming routine, and you start to wonder, "when do i go home?", but you just have to push through the holidays, and trust me. This will be amazing :) enjoy your summer with your family before you leave ( i didnt..i worked the whole summer every day all day, and now I regret it...) Sorry for the novel :) Ally McCarthy -fellow AFS exchanger
ReplyDelete(PS i live in CT so im going to try and go to the NY orientation before you depart ) alsoo...you know there are two AFSers currently in Ponferrada, right?
ALLY, you were the reason I chose spain and AFS. I was applying to another program until one night I was doing some research and came across your blog. It was December, and I went through and read every single one of your blog posts. I was also planning on going to Ecuador, and you changed my mind entirely. I really appreciate the advice, especially right about now. I really hope you can make it to the NY orientation, so I can hear more about your trip and experiences. Also, I had no idea there were people in Ponferrada right now?! Do they have blogs? is there some way I can get in touch with them? Also, I would love to get your email or something, to keep in touch when ultimately we will switch places. :) Thanks for the comment!
Delete