I’ve been in Madrid for just about a week now and, while I’ll openly admit I’ve been struggling to adjust fully to the schedule and lifestyle pace, I’ve been settling in nicely. My week started out with a night with all of the IES Abroad Madrid Spring 2016 students in a hotel near the Argüelles metro stop. On our arrival day, we had a number of meetings, including a meeting all about safety in which we saw some fascinating examples of different pickpocketing methods.

After two sleepless flights and a three hour bus ride, I finally arrived in Mariazell, Austria, joining the rest of the 170 or so students of the program. Dinner was shortly followed by presentations, a bit difficult to follow thanks to the lack of ZZZs. Despite the disorientation, everyone was friendly, the staff was organized and so welcoming they truly made us excited for all to come.

I’m sitting at my computer the day before I leave Ohio with two empty suitcases beside me.  You could say I’m a procrastinator.  Preparation has never been my strong point, and even now I find myself surrounded by a familiar calm despite having less than 24 hours to pack up my life for the next four months.  I’m working under the semi-dangerous assumption that someway, somehow I’m going to end up in Salamanca two days from now.  I picture myself arriving at my host family’s house, giving hugs and apologies for my Spanish.  I

On the way to Oscar Wilde's childhood house we go. It is Wednesday evening, and the sun has already set. On the way, my class chats with our professor, Kristian, about James Joyce, Dubliners, and the like. A man next to us taps his shoulder. 

"I happen to work at a shop just around the corner. It's the shop in Ulysses where the characters buy their lemon soap."

In short, a lot!

The first weeks here have been a marathon of checking big sites off my tourist bucket list.  Some of the places I’ve enjoyed include…

Borough Market.
Also known as foodie heaven, this daily market was my dream destination.  I’ve already been there twice, and I’m sure I’ll spend many more lunches browsing the food stalls and indulging in unique treats (truffles, olives, fresh pasta, smoothies, BREAD… hungry yet?)

Right in the middle of Austria resides a wonderful miss named Monika. She is quite tall for her age. She’s chatty and brave. She wanders the world with her arms crossed behind her, face pointed higher. One might think she’s a nobleman’s daughter. And every so often, when the sun soothes to fall, or when the winter’s dim light springs up from its stall, the maiden returns to the city to answer her call. This fair girl, despite her youthful descriptors, is truly no “girl” at all. In fact, she is a seasoned German professor.

I have never been very good at goodbyes. I think that I secretly don’t believe in them. Even if I know I won’t see someone again, I usually find myself saying “See you later,” regardless. Maybe it’s just a habit, or maybe it’s my subconscious refusing to acknowledge the possibility that I won’t see them later. 

Dear pre-Cape Town Cortney, Man, are you standing in a place I wish I could be: the beginning. I know you have some anxiety right now, and I want you to let it go. You have absolutely nothing to worry about or fear. You are going to make lifelong friends, and it won't take that long to do it. Don't, however, let go of the urgency.

What better way to transport to you all to my incredible semester abroad than to share a few of my all-time favorite snapshots? Jump in and join me in Paris, Prague, Munich, Barcelona, Amsterdam, Loire, Champagne, Venice, Florence, and Rome!