Here I am, in my second semester abroad in Spain, and taking the opportunity to reflect on the person I’ve become.
Alicante feels more like home than ever before. Whenever I travel somewhere, I enjoy coming back to this city that has been my home since September. I have my favorite place to grab a snack, my gym, and school mates are all here, in Alicante.
One thing that has shifted for me personally, and will eventually affect me professionally, is my desire to continue learning other languages. So much so, I’ve made a list of the languages I would like to begin studying when I’m done with Spanish. This influence has much to do with Spain and Europe in general. When I tutored last semester, I was tutoring three children, and English was their third language. It’s amazing to me how encouraged it is here to not only learn another language, but to learn multiple languages. This mindset feels like a gift, and it’s one that I’ve embraced completely.
I’ve always planned to go to law school, and as this year abroad is almost over, I’m looking ahead to what is next on my plans for my future. Currently, I have one year left at my home university, and before I went abroad I planned to prepare and apply for law school. As of now, there is a part of me that wants to take a break after I graduate, and continue to work abroad in some capacity. I’m still exploring opportunities, but I know this shift in my plans is in part due to the time I’ve spent here in a culture that embraces both hard work and the siesta.
Looking out over the city of Granda
While there is a part of me that is concerned if at 32 years old if I’m making a professional mistake, I also know I have to do what’s right for me.
I’m excited to see what other changes I’ll notice as my time here comes to an end and I return to the U.S.A. I’ll be looking for more ways to incorporate Spanish into my day to day life.
