Barcelona, Here I Come!

Whoa, it's finally happening; I am going back to Spain! 

In 2012, I went on a trip with my high school foreign language department to Barcelona, Nice, Nimes, and Florence. Myself and 20 other students spent about 2-3 days in each city, which was an incredible way to see the main attractions of each place. I loved each destination, but I was particularly fond of Barcelona. We went to markets, passed by incredible Gaudi architecture, and shopped on La Rambla. The only bad thing about Spain was that we didn't nearly spend enough time there. I knew from the time I laid eyes on La Sagrada Familia and the beautiful beaches that I would need to go back. 

Five years later, I started exploring study abroad opportunites. I wanted a program that would help me finish my Spanish minor, expose me to a different way of life, and put me out of my comfort zone. As I searched, the program that stood out to me was Barcelona Summer - Language and Area Studies. I couldn't stop thinking about spending a whole seven weeks in my favorite place, so I decided to apply on a whim.

Now, after completing the required forms for my home university and buying one too many items from the travel aisle in Target, the time has come for me to return to the city that has my heart. I could go on and on about how lucky and excited I feel about this opportunity. I get to immerse myself in the language, wander the streets in search of unique shops and cafes, eat my weight in Paella, and go to the beach every day - what could be better than that?! Of course, there are some uncertainties that come with spending exactly 48 days in a foreign country. This time, I don't have an experienced tour guide to show me around. I won't have my mom, or even any close friends with me. My entire experience is up to me, which is terrifying and liberating at the same time. I was able to contact my roommates and some other students from my university who are participating in the program, and I am so excited to meet them!

I am finally all packed up and ready to head to the Kansas City airport for a long 15 hours of traveling. I somehow was able to fit all of my things into one big suitcase with room to spare, which is a huge accomplishment for me! Some necessities I made sure to pack are lightweight clothing, comfortable shoes, and my nice new camera. I look forward to finally landing in Barcelona and settling into my new home. In the meantime, I will keep myself busy on the plane by reading "An Anthropology of an American Girl" by Hilary Thayer Hamann, writing in a guided journal, and listening to numerous Spotify playlists. See you soon, Spain!