An Honest Reflection

My planner has been my lifeline this busy semester. As I flick through to months past, my mind dances with memories simply from the names of the countries I have visited written carefully under their corresponding date. All the way in September I see the times to meet for orientation and I can’t help but think back to those days with a haze induced by a faraway time and a touch of jetlag.

The essentials

As I count down the days until I head to the Seville airport for one last time, I reflect back on the experiences I have had and the memories I have made. I would be lying if I didn’t say that this semester has been the most challenging one of my life. But with challenges come great rewards.

In exchange for these four months without loved ones and all the comforts of home, I gained a whole new perspective on the world and on myself. I have grown up quite quickly in this short amount of time. I accomplished things I never thought I could have. I tried foods I thought I would never eat. I met people that I otherwise never would have crossed paths with.

Me and my travel buddies in Paris

Studying abroad is not the most glamourous thing in the world. It’s messy and complicated and many times frustrating. It’s long nights in airports. It’s language barriers. It’s not having internet when you need it most. But every experience taught me more about myself and how I handle situations as they come to me. Without study abroad, I would never have gained such valuable life and problem solving skills.

I have certainly learned how to use public transportation!

Most of all, I will miss the little things that this city offers me. While my fast-paced weekend trips may blur, the everyday scenes of Seville will stick with me. Journaling in a café, walking through Plaza de España on my way to class, sunsets over the river, the never-ending good weather. In those moments, I couldn’t have imagined that I would see the words “fly home” written in my planner so soon.

Plaza de España takes my breath away every day

I started my series as a blogger by sharing that this was my first time leaving the United States. I had no way of knowing what I was getting myself into, and there’s no way that I or anyone else can tell someone what to expect from their journey.

The only way to know is to take the adventure and see where it leads you.

Nicole F. is the Fall 2017 MOJO Blogger in Seville, Spain. She is currently a Junior studying Mass Communication and Spanish at Towson University.

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