There were two big main reasons for wanting to attend this trip: family and law. For starters, my family is Spanish, and my name comes from a Southern region in Spain as well. I have known this since I was young, but it had never had much importance to me. You hear people always mention, “I’m 15% Italian!” or “I am 6% Asian!” and that’s exactly how I felt about my Spanish side, I saw it as a small percentage, that made up some part of me but that was all. Mostly, I identified with my Mexican and American sides, as they were the most prominent in my life. Mexico, because most of my family lives there and my parents were born there. America, because I was born and grew up here (it is probably the side of myself that I most use). Depending on what family I am with or where I travel, I become a different person. I act differently in Mexico with my Mexican family than I do here with my American friends and family.
But two years ago, my mindset shifted. I found out that my Spanish side isn’t just some percentage of my genetic makeup, rather it is a larger part of who I am. So much so, that I have a claim there, to be a Spanish citizen. Many years ago, some of my ancestors on my dad’s side lived in Spain. However, during the Jewish Crusades, they were kicked out for being Jewish, and some of my ancestors went to live in the “New Spain” (aka Mexico). Recently, the Spanish government gave us a chance to reclaim our citizenship depending on our ancestors. So, my family and I traveled to Madrid in 2021 to officially claim our right to live in Spain. When I found out about this Study Abroad opportunity to travel to Barcelona, my family was ecstatic. What better way to learn and live in a country where I had been deprived of living, than attending with A&M? As I have mentioned before, traveling is one thing, but living somewhere is a whole different story with its own set of challenges. I had such an amazing experience in Barcelona, and truly got to feel like I was living with people that were like me. Of course, I grew up differently. But I couldn’t help but appreciate all the people and culture around me.
One of the main examples was getting to watch The Eurocup finale in Spain among the Spanish. Experiencing the highs together, the lows together, and everything in between together, was one of the most impactful experiences of my life. Especially, once we won, seeing everyone dance around in the streets, cars honking everywhere, people would even come up to me and congratulate me, as if I was one of them. Because I am one of them. It made me realize that the culture in Spain is truly unique and focuses much on unity. That is a trait I can take back with me to America, oftentimes the culture is competitive and individualistic.
The second reason I took advantage of the opportunity to study abroad was because I found out we were taking Business Law. I have wanted to be a lawyer since I was 14 years old (I don’t remember when my fascination began, but it did). Since then, I have had a rollercoaster of emotions as to whether I am up for it. Whenever I mention it, my favorite thing is to watch people’s faces drop and say “Good luck! Law is not for the weak!” …
So, I wondered, am I the weak? Am I up for it? This is a constant dilemma in my head, and I wanted to prove to myself that I could do it, that this is the job that is meant for me. If it wasn’t and I ended up doing terribly in the course, then it is better to know now than a few years down the line when I must drop out of law school. This is dramatic of me, but I have wrestled with these thoughts for many years. However, this program was honestly an amazing experience for me, that truly gave me insight on who I am as a person, away from home, on the other side of the world, tackling on her Spanish heritage, as well as what she wants to do with her life. Wherever I go from here, I can say with full confidence that I have left a better, stronger person than I was before, and for that I am thankful.
(Also, spoiler alert: I can do it)
