Hola!
Today was one of my very few days off of work and I decided that there was no better way to spend my free day than reading blogs of past/current returnee participants from study abroad in Spain,(it really wasn't the best way to spend my day, but I learned a TON). I also watched a few of the videos submitted by Spain students, which were really cool.
Then something really weird hit me.
I'm not sure which video I was watching but I think it was one where the kids were all sitting together in their bright yellow AFS t-shirts, waiting to board their flight to Spain. Something about seeing them made my 36 days left in America seem very short. I started thinking about how much my life will really change. I also realized that when I come back and I'll have the hundreds of questions to answer like:
"How was Spain?"
"How long did it take you to become fluent?"
"How is Spain different from America?"
And honestly these people won't really understand how I felt, all the struggles I will go through, my frusteration because of the language barrier. They'll just nod their heads and say "wow that must have been an amazing experience". I think the past exchange students and ones that will be leaving in the fall are the only people we will have to talk to with about how we're feeling. Even though not everyone's situation will be the same, we all share a common ground, we're all about to embark on one of the, if not the biggest,adventures of our lives. Some may call us crazy or weird for wanting to study abroad but I think that we would all agree that this oppritunity is something that will change our lives. It sounds so cliche to say that this will change our lives ,but it truly will. I sometimes wonder how different I'll be when I come back home. As of right now, I feel that I am fairly independant, mature and responsible. Of course, like any other teenager, I'm not perfect but compared to some of my peers, I think I'm doing pretty good. It's hard to imagine me in a year from now. This should be interesting.
I started this blog for two reasons 1.) to keep my friends and family updated on what I do in my daily life in Spain. Another reason is so I don't have to tell someone about my trip in 5 sentences. I know that when I get back, I'll probably be able to talk about my trip for hours on end, but unless you've been there and done it, you kinda start to get lost in what the person was telling you about. I figured that if I had this blog, i could just tell people to read it. You might actually learn something new about a different culture. So when I get any of the "How was Spain?" questions, I'll know who has and has not read my blog. And to those of you who do, I really DO appreciate it.
Number 2, To see how much I have changed. You don't really notice change, since it is so slow. But I believe that by writing in this blog at least once a week and being honest with how I am feeling, seeing the changes will be something really mind boggling to look at after 10 months.
With each passing day I am getting more and more excited, the days seem to be flying by! I currently only have two things on my packing list but that is another post, all of its own.
Keep checking back, there will most likely be something new :)
Adios!
Wednesday, July 27, 2011
Wednesday, July 20, 2011
Random Thoughts I'm Thinking About
Hola!
To keep true to my word of posting on this blog at least once a week, I'm always trying to think of something interesting that people will want to read about. But to be honest, nothing is really super exciting/intersting/read-worthy is going on at the moment with all paperwork and visa stuff being DONE! I'm just waiting here patiently for the email from the Consulate of Chicago to say my visa is ready(which will be in the middle of August).
As I lay here typing all of this, I'm trying to think about what the heck I should pack for my carry on bag and my suitcase. Keep in mind I can only have 1 suitcase for 10 months! Lorenzo said the coldest it gets in Vilagarcia is 32 degrees and its kinda warm in the summer, about 75-85 degrees.
The only thing I know for sure I'm bringing is my Columbia jacket that can break into a fleece and a waterproof shell. Well I guess I still have 41 days to figure that stuff out.
Other random thoughts on my mind as of right now include...
-What about college prep stuff like touring colleges and the ACT?
-How in the world am I going to pass math in Spanish when I can barely understand it in English?
-Is there going to be a chaparone flying from to New York to Madrid with the Spain group, because there's a lot of us...
-Why are we stopping in Switzerland in order to get to Madrid? Does this mean the kids going to Switzerland are going to be on the same flight as the Spain people?
I have other questions buttt I don't think anyone reading this wants to read about those random things.
On another note, my last day of work is the 19th of August :] Less than a month. Woo-Woo! I like my job and everyone I work with but it's gonna be nice to go back to how things used to be and not have a job, just for a little while at least. Then on August 20th, my family and I are going to colorado for 5 days. Then I'm back home for 6. Then SPAIN! and my lovely early morning flight. But really, I am so excited :D
Adios!
To keep true to my word of posting on this blog at least once a week, I'm always trying to think of something interesting that people will want to read about. But to be honest, nothing is really super exciting/intersting/read-worthy is going on at the moment with all paperwork and visa stuff being DONE! I'm just waiting here patiently for the email from the Consulate of Chicago to say my visa is ready(which will be in the middle of August).
As I lay here typing all of this, I'm trying to think about what the heck I should pack for my carry on bag and my suitcase. Keep in mind I can only have 1 suitcase for 10 months! Lorenzo said the coldest it gets in Vilagarcia is 32 degrees and its kinda warm in the summer, about 75-85 degrees.
The only thing I know for sure I'm bringing is my Columbia jacket that can break into a fleece and a waterproof shell. Well I guess I still have 41 days to figure that stuff out.
Other random thoughts on my mind as of right now include...
-What about college prep stuff like touring colleges and the ACT?
-How in the world am I going to pass math in Spanish when I can barely understand it in English?
-Is there going to be a chaparone flying from to New York to Madrid with the Spain group, because there's a lot of us...
-Why are we stopping in Switzerland in order to get to Madrid? Does this mean the kids going to Switzerland are going to be on the same flight as the Spain people?
I have other questions buttt I don't think anyone reading this wants to read about those random things.
On another note, my last day of work is the 19th of August :] Less than a month. Woo-Woo! I like my job and everyone I work with but it's gonna be nice to go back to how things used to be and not have a job, just for a little while at least. Then on August 20th, my family and I are going to colorado for 5 days. Then I'm back home for 6. Then SPAIN! and my lovely early morning flight. But really, I am so excited :D
Adios!
Tuesday, July 12, 2011
Difficult Visa Process + Chicago Traffic = STRESSFUL SITUATION!
Hola!
Today was my Visa appointment in Chicago at the Consulate General of España! I feel like a HUGE weight has been lifted off my shoulders. All of the paperwork associated with getting a visa for Spain is termendous. So many documents need Appostilles, need to be signed by a notary republic. You must also obtain a background check if you're going to be in Spain for more than 180 days.
I am so relieved that all of that is over. The next step is waiting 4-5 weeks for the Embassy to approve my visa application and then go back to Chicago to pick up my passport with the visa stampped inside :D
I had no idea what to expect before I stepped into the building that the Consulate General of Spain is in. On the Consulate website, they show a picture and I thought the whole 22 floors of the building had something to do with Spain.
The Consulate of Spain is on the 15th floor and the room is not big at all, I was expecting it to be a place where you have to get a number a be called up to meet with visa coordinator. I thought it was an informal meeting. I missed my appointment which was at 9:30 AM (there was a severe thunderstorm in Chicago that caused all the stop lights to stop working, so there were lines of cars at intersections that we had to treat like 4-way stops. So it took us 3 hours to go 60 miles! It was crazy traffic!) Even though I missed my appointment, they allowed me to still turn in all my paper work, which I was VERY thankful for!
I have 49 Days until Spain! I can't wait!
Adios!
Today was my Visa appointment in Chicago at the Consulate General of España! I feel like a HUGE weight has been lifted off my shoulders. All of the paperwork associated with getting a visa for Spain is termendous. So many documents need Appostilles, need to be signed by a notary republic. You must also obtain a background check if you're going to be in Spain for more than 180 days.
I am so relieved that all of that is over. The next step is waiting 4-5 weeks for the Embassy to approve my visa application and then go back to Chicago to pick up my passport with the visa stampped inside :D
I had no idea what to expect before I stepped into the building that the Consulate General of Spain is in. On the Consulate website, they show a picture and I thought the whole 22 floors of the building had something to do with Spain.
The Consulate of Spain is on the 15th floor and the room is not big at all, I was expecting it to be a place where you have to get a number a be called up to meet with visa coordinator. I thought it was an informal meeting. I missed my appointment which was at 9:30 AM (there was a severe thunderstorm in Chicago that caused all the stop lights to stop working, so there were lines of cars at intersections that we had to treat like 4-way stops. So it took us 3 hours to go 60 miles! It was crazy traffic!) Even though I missed my appointment, they allowed me to still turn in all my paper work, which I was VERY thankful for!
I have 49 Days until Spain! I can't wait!
Adios!
Thursday, July 7, 2011
Skyping With Lorenzo & Amigos
Hola!
Lorenzo and I finally got to Skype today :) I am so excited about this because one day my microphone wasn't working, then his wasn't working, but today they both finally worked. I was also able to meet some of his friends! They all seemed really excited when I started talking, even though they can't speak much English.
Skyping was kinda like a pre-meeting with Lorenzo and his friends, I could hear their voices and see their faces as well. I felt bad because they spoke in English and were getting frusterated when they couldn't understand what I was saying, so we switched to speaking Spanish (okay,okay more like Spanglish). But I thought I did pretty good for not having much conversation in Spanish before. I surprised myself and remembered quite a bit grammar from Spanish class. I was really nervous when we started speaking Spanish because I didn't know if they would understand me, but when they nodded, smiled and responded, I knew they understood me! yay, my summer practice is starting to pay off!
Lorenzo and I finally got to Skype today :) I am so excited about this because one day my microphone wasn't working, then his wasn't working, but today they both finally worked. I was also able to meet some of his friends! They all seemed really excited when I started talking, even though they can't speak much English.
Skyping was kinda like a pre-meeting with Lorenzo and his friends, I could hear their voices and see their faces as well. I felt bad because they spoke in English and were getting frusterated when they couldn't understand what I was saying, so we switched to speaking Spanish (okay,okay more like Spanglish). But I thought I did pretty good for not having much conversation in Spanish before. I surprised myself and remembered quite a bit grammar from Spanish class. I was really nervous when we started speaking Spanish because I didn't know if they would understand me, but when they nodded, smiled and responded, I knew they understood me! yay, my summer practice is starting to pay off!
Friday, July 1, 2011
2 More Months & Then It's Buh-Bye America
Today is exactly 2 months until I leave.
Wow. This day has come up a lot faster than I thought it would. I still feel like I have such a long time before I go, but really, it's only two months until I leave everyone and everything I've grown up with.
And I'm doing it voluntarily. I must be crazy, right?
Nah, not really.
To be honest, since this process started in November, there have been times when I second guessed myself, wondering if I really wanted to go and then I realized I just feeling different emotions.
At my Pre-Departure Orientation, the leader of it said it was normal to have different feelings about our upcoming adventures. It's such a weird feeling to have several emotions all bundled into one. My main emotion is anticipation, just thinking about the unknown. Everyone in my class knows my name and I don't know any of them (except Lorenzo). Fear is another one. How will I make myself understood with the language barrier? Will I make friends?
What do I say when the teacher calls on me for an answer? All of these things a swirling around in my head. Believe it or not, with all the fear and anxiety, I do have some happiness. The town I will be living in is beautiful and my family is so warm, I know they will make me feel at home.
I guess I will find out in two months all the answers to my questions!
Adios!
Erika
Wow. This day has come up a lot faster than I thought it would. I still feel like I have such a long time before I go, but really, it's only two months until I leave everyone and everything I've grown up with.
And I'm doing it voluntarily. I must be crazy, right?
Nah, not really.
To be honest, since this process started in November, there have been times when I second guessed myself, wondering if I really wanted to go and then I realized I just feeling different emotions.
At my Pre-Departure Orientation, the leader of it said it was normal to have different feelings about our upcoming adventures. It's such a weird feeling to have several emotions all bundled into one. My main emotion is anticipation, just thinking about the unknown. Everyone in my class knows my name and I don't know any of them (except Lorenzo). Fear is another one. How will I make myself understood with the language barrier? Will I make friends?
What do I say when the teacher calls on me for an answer? All of these things a swirling around in my head. Believe it or not, with all the fear and anxiety, I do have some happiness. The town I will be living in is beautiful and my family is so warm, I know they will make me feel at home.
I guess I will find out in two months all the answers to my questions!
Adios!
Erika
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