Since my first experience abroad I have wanted nothing more than to see the world. So now in my post grad life I am preparing for my first solo venture to the other side of the world. As of now, I have traveled to Uruguay, Bermuda, and Costa Rica. Of those experiences Costa Rica was my most independent venture, and even then I had a friend from school that I traveled with and lived with. So setting out to Spain is a real jump for me. So why now? Why Spain? Why this program?
1. I am young, single, and eager for experience.
As a recent grad with a ton of volunteer experience and very little real world experience (although yes, volunteer experience does count for something) I do not have much to offer a place of business in any field I would be interested in. With a degree in Spanish, but not fluency in Spanish, I have a little step up from your average monolingual American, however I do not want to work in the United States, at least not for now.
I am 21, nothing is tying me down. Why not? If I stay at home I will be bored to death, trying to avoid seeing anyone I know from high school or aquaintances to whom I have absolutely nothing to say. I want to meet new people. People who share my desires. People who I can learn from. People who will inspire me.
2. I need to practice my Spanish.
I can hold a conversation. I can say what I want to say. That is not fluency. There is still a world of things that I have no clue how to have a conversation about. I realized that while I was in Costa Rica trying to tell my host mom about a boy almost drowning on one of our weekend trips. Turns out I do not know the words for just about everything to do with drowning and swimming and rip currents. But why would I have the opportunity to learn that in school?
So I am off to Spain, the country of origin of this language that I love so much. I will practice that language, I will gain confidence, and I will have something impresive to put on my resume (even if it is not "Fluent in Spanish").
3. I need to do something scary, but not too scary.
Going to Spain will not be the easiest thing I have ever done. I will probably get homesick and question my decision to live in a brand new country for nine straight months. But if I am going travel the world in my life time, I have to be sure I can do it. By myself. (Although preferably I will have a travel companion later in life).
At least I know the language. At least I have food and shelter guaranteed. (Not too scary...)
4. I love children.
I have pretty much worked with kids since I made that transition from being one myself. I especially love the little ones. And what is more adorable than little tiny humans (thank you Grey's Anatomy) that do not speak the same language as me. That I get to teach my language while I listen to their tiny voices speak tiny Spanish that I will actually be able to understand. I don't know about anyone else, but that sounds about as freaking cute as it gets.
5. I won't regret it.
I am a big proponent for this "NO RAGRETS" movement all of the youths are about these days. Everyone does crazy, stupid things. That's just human nature. How would we ever learn without it. So far in my life I have nothing I regret, as far as I can think. However, not leaving the country on some worldwin adventure would be a mistake and I would regret it. So pretty much I have to do this for my own wellbeing.
6. Everyone could use a little self discovery.
What better way to find out who you are than to seperate yourself from all things familiar and put yourself under some mildly stressful situations? Sounds fun to me.
Wooh. So here I go. In less than one month I will embark on what I assume will be a life changing experience. Thank you to everyone who has inspired me throughout my life to expand my horizons. Thank you to everyone who will help me along the way. And thank you to everyone who reads my blog posts along the way and lifts up prayers for my journey. It'll be the ride of a lifetime, I'm sure of it.
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