As my time in Madrid draws to a close, I can’t help but reflect on the power of this marvelous city on my life and my creativity. There is something so special about learning a new language, especially when you are old enough to consider linguistics, psychology…all of the art and science that are, unbeknownst to you, working behind the scenes to create a new lens through which you can view the world. I had a feeling before I left Alabama that this trip would change my life, and I don’t think that the magnitude of that change has been fully embraced by my mind just yet. Even now, on the last night of my stay in Madrid, it is hard to believe that I existed here for four weeks, that the hustle and bustle of this place was my colorful backdrop every day. Some of that realization finally sunk in today as I walked back from our last dinner as a group, side by side with the friends I’ve made during my time here. “We really stayed in Madrid, guys, for like…an entire month!” I recounted to my friends on our walk underneath the street lights. Even at 10:30 p.m., this city is still very much alive. I hope that some of that vivaciousness maintains companionship with me even as I return to the U.S. tomorrow morning. I am very interested to see what life will be like when I return—when life becomes an after-Madrid existence and not a before-Madrid existence. Most importantly though, I cannot wait to see my family and share all the memories I have made here.