From the day I was born two things were predetermined by my parents: that I would go to college and that I would study abroad. Fortunately, as I grew up I agreed with their ideals fostering a love of both education and travel. The only questions I had to determine were where would I want to go and when? After much research I decided upon going to Spain with the UA led engineering program over the summer as this time period worked out best for my agenda. With a culture based around siestas and fiestas I was excited to visit the country Ernest Hemingway fell in love with. Mentally I believe I am prepared to go to Spain. The only thing I am truly worried about is whether I have packed the necessary equipment for my month. Being underprepared for a trip is never good and as I will be there an entire month it would be ideal if I have the majority of things I need to get by day to day. As I continue to pack I become more exicted for the upcoming trip and my first time out of the country. The only regret I have is that I have not kept up my spainish as well as I would have liked over the years. However, I am optimistic that I will leave Spain with better language skills than I ever learned in school. My main goals for the trip are to immerse myself completely in a spainish culture, see as much of the country as humanely possible, make lifelong connections, and improve my Spanish
