El Escorial de San Lorenzo
Hola Amigos! So, I have been here for a little less than a month and I have already fallen in love with everything and everyone in Spain. Where to begin… In my opinion, we are staying in one of the most beautiful and homey places in Spain, San Lorenzo. The entire town of San Lorenzo was built around a monastery built by Filipe II in the 16th century. During one of my classes, I got the chance to climb to the top of a tower in...
Reflections in Spain
6/14/17: This trip to Spain has truly been one for the books. As the trip comes to a close, I reflect on how this trip has changed me. For starters, my Spanish speaking skills have improved tremendously. Our facilitators implicated a “Spanish only policy” on us at the beginning of the trip. While almost all of us loathed this new rule, I came to realize that it was exactly what we needed to improve our speaking and comprehension of...
Homesick in Paris
This experience has really been a dream come true for me. Although it has had many downfalls, I have experienced many high points that has made this study abroad experience worthwhile. Our first week was spent in the beautiful city of Paris. Although they try to prepare you for all the different emotions during orientation, my lowest point happened on the fourth day when I was overcome with homesickness. I went to a clothing store for...
Thoughts and Feelings: Pre-departure versus Now
Now that the first of the two sessions I am spending in Spain is coming to an end, I can think of a number of things I wish I could tell the pre-departure version of myself. Before departing, I had a wide range of feelings surrounding this experience. I am a huge worrier so, naturally, I was nervous about quite a few things. First, I am terrified of flying and knowing I was going to have to be on a plane for 7+ hours did not help...
Le Tour de Food de France
When you arrive in a new country to study abroad, odds are you will have probably already given a lot of thought to the differences in culture. But I had underestimated just HOW different (and all-consuming) the French food culture is. From my first day in France, I have found myself faced with many new culinary experiences, all of which have been absolutely delicious! When I arrived a few weeks ago in Tours, I was so grateful to have...
Pre- Italy Trip
I am so excited for this trip. I am studying abroad in Florence Italy, and I can’t wait to leave. 13 days left and I am getting all the final paperwork pulled together and starting to pack! This experience will be amazing I just know it. I get to meet family I haven’t met before or haven’t seen in a really long time. I will be spending my 20th birthday abroad and I couldn’t think of a better way to celebrate....