From Spain to Santiago

            Words can’t describe how lucky I feel to have been able to study abroad in Europe last semester. I experienced an abundance of things that I had never experienced before and I’m forever grateful to the people that made all my new accomplishments possible. I left Europe with so many new memories and I still can't believe that I’m fortunate enough to get the opportunity to study abroad AGAIN this spring!

            During my fall semester, I studied in Alcalá de Henares, Spain, a small city about 30 minutes outside of Madrid. 

I lived in a homestay with one of my friends from Loyola and LOVED my experience with that. My host parents, Pepita and Miguel, were some of the sweetest, most caring people I have ever met. Plus they made great food (especially Pepita's vegetable soup)!

            Travel-wise, Europe is just so different from the U.S. – so much more efficient. Through trains or cheap intercontinental airlines, I was able to see 22 cities in 5 different countries in my short 116 days abroad. Every trip I took, not only within Spain, but also throughout the continent of Europe, was unique and special.  Although I loved each and every trip, I would have to say my favorite place that I traveled to was Cascais, Portugal.

If you’re ever in the area, you HAVE to go to Guincho Beach and take surfing lessons from Alex at Moana Surf School. For 25 euro each, my friends and I were able to have a private lesson with all equipment included and 2 professional surf instructors. The pictures were priceless! It was an experience I’ll never forget.

(Fun fact: in all my travels, Cascais, Portugal was the closest I ever was to home! Driving back from the beach, our cab driver informed us that we were at the westernmost point in all of continental Europe!)

            I’m really excited to see the differences between European Spanish life and South American Spanish life. I’ve been told Chilean Spanish is harder to understand, especially coming from a place with such a distinct accent and dialect such as Madrid. I’ve also heard the food is “less than impressive” (yikes) but I really don’t want to make any harsh judgments before arriving so I’ll keep those “insights” on the back burner for now. On a positive note, I’ve also heard that the people are amazing and that the weather (90 degrees in February!) and climate of Santiago is great! In Chile, you have the ability to go from one of the driest deserts in the world in the north to snowy penguins and a ferry ride to Antarctica in the south, in only a matter of hours! I can't wait to see what Santiago has in store for me.