Conbinis, short for convenience stores, are extremely popular in Japan. There are locations everywhere you could possibly imagine, even in the suburban areas. Before coming to Japan, I never really visited the convenience stores in California unless it was to pay for gas. It couldn’t be helped though since prices of the items would sometimes be a little expensive or they are located in a not so safe area. There wasn’t anything special at the convenience stores back home either.

Being home has been a mixture of elation at being back with family and a the phantom pain of abruptly stopping my life abroad. I didn’t cry like I did the last time I left Spain-because I know I’ll be back. To me, leaving Spain this time was so much more of a confident “hasta luego” (see you later) than an “adios” (goodbye). Spain has been in my heart since 2013, and it’s not going anywhere. If anything, the lovely time I spent abroad strengthened my bond with the country and the culture even more.

Semana Santa: Spain’s holy week that extends beyond just the one day off that we’re accustomed to for Easter. Semana Santa was also our spring break: ten days that you needed to leave your housing and go explore the world! I wanted to double back and write a longer entry about my Semana Santa travels because it’s important and very relevant for anyone who is interested in setting abroad, especially in Europe where travel is glamorized as cheap and convenient.

Excitement. Nervousness. Discomfort. Sadness. Elation. Curiosity. Relief.

These are all symptoms of studying abroad. No one said it was going to be easy, at least not at the beginning.

The next day we took a day trip to Otaru by train. Otaru is a port city about an hour away from Sapporo and it is famous for its canal, glassworks, and sweets! The view on the way there was really refreshing and nice as it passed by the ocean. Since Otaru was next to the ocean, it was a must to eat sushi. We went to a place that my friend recommended and oh my lord the sushi was so tasty! It was comparable to the one I ate at Tsukiji fish market a while back! Then, we walked to a street that is known for its glassworks and sweets!

Golden week usually occurs from the end of April to the beginning of May. It is a cluster of Japanese holidays so most Japanese workers and students get the week off. It is pretty much comparable to spring break in the United States. This is usually the time where most people go travelling, visiting near and far places, meeting up with friends, and possibly going abroad. Most IES Abroad students went to Osaka and Kyoto, while a few others went to Korea for the week.

With only a few weeks left in Argentina (I really can’t wrap my head around this fact), I decided to take advantage of a long weekend with my roommate Hanna and head to Bariloche. Known for chocolate, ice cream, and beautiful views I knew that Bariloche and I would get along well. After continuously being in a city for 3 months, I was ready to get some much-needed fresh air and time away from the hustle and bustle.  

Hello everyone!

Everyone in IES Abroad is gone, and I await to start my summer of more studying and travel. Although my time in Ireland will continue, I honestly do not think it can be the same, and a skype call this morning proved that. Usually when I’m on the exercycle, I like to be quiet and try to keep my sweat to myself; however, today, I filled the  room singing everything from Believe by Cher to I’m Here Without You Baby by Three doors down. Pretty much all the classics. But no matter how hard I sang, I realized it would not bring Batool back.