In just four weeks and a few days I will be leaving for Spain. I will spend August in Salamanca with International Studies Abroad and September through December 20 in Seville with Spanish Studies Abroad. I decided to do both programs so that I would be able to have more background and practice when I begin my studies in Seville in the fall, and thus be better prepared to dive into deeper study of Spanish and get the most I can out of my time abroad.
I'm really looking forward to this time abroad. I want to explore the Spanish culture, especially since my mother was raised in Argentina and my upbringing has not been that of a normal american. I'm looking forward to improving my Spanish, which I have heard since birth (and find particularly comforting, since my mother spoke it to me) but have not learned to speak fluently. I hope to develop friendships while abroad. I hope to experience the difference between the United States and Spain the the practice of Catholicism, as far as things are variable by country.
I also have some fears. I'm a bit worried that my visa won't arrive in time (the consulate said that it would be 3-4 weeks, which leaves 1 or 2 to spare, so I should be okay). I'm afraid that I will still be affected by the shooting on my campus the last week of spring quarter and will struggle at times with unreasonable fears and/or irritability. I'm afraid that my slowness to speak (which I have also struggled with in English) will be perceived as ignorance of the language. I'm afraid that I will struggle with making connections with people.
But on the whole, I'm not so afraid as I am excited. Sure, there are problems I have to face. But they are not insurmountable and I think I'll be fine. I'm really looking forward to this trip, and all that I will learn and do and see in Spain.
See you from Salamanca and Seville!
