These last 4 weeks have honestly taught me so much. Spain is a wonderful country and it really opened my eyes. Business here is done quite differently compared to in the United States. I think one of my favorite things is their siesta time. For around 2-3 hours every day, businesses close so that the workers can go home and rest up before they continue their day. As a worker, that must be great, but as a tourist? it?s a little hard. At least 3 times on this trip I wanted to get lunch at a restaurant only to find out they?re closed and won?t open again until 2PM. That?s not the only thing I learned in Spain: Spain taught me so much about myself. I came back home as a different person. I know it?s super cliche to say that my study abroad changed me but that?s the truth! I have learned to be so much more independent. I would tell my roommates that I?m going to go shopping by myself, that I?m going to a coffee shop, and so much more. Sometimes they would join me, but I would have been fine on my own too. Getting dropped off in a random country and having to figure out how to do certain things gives you that independence. I will say that I was lucky in the department that I spoke the language and have visited Spain before. However, I am used to having my parents figure it out and I just tag along. In the last 4 weeks, I figured out Airbnbs, flights, transportation, and almost getting scammed (not fun). I have loved these last 4 weeks a little more than I should have. Before, I was planning on staying at TAMU for my master’s, but now I want to go abroad for it. Yes, the school system is a little different than the one in America, but a girl can adjust. Spain and this trip have changed my life for the better and I can?t wait until I can go back.
