Week 11: Getting Ready for Morocco

Monday, March 27^th:

Today was very rainy in Sevilla, which is not typical whatsoever, but I had great weather in London so I guess my luck could only last for so long. I’m feeling super overwhelmed with homework and life so I’m trying to play catch up on my responsibilities. Overall great day spent studying a lot and hanging with the host family. Getting so excited to see my fam in a week and a half!

Tuesday, March 28^th:

Just a typical day in Sevilla working on homework and studying for my Spanish exam tomorrow. Nothing too exciting.

Wednesday, March 29^th:

Took my test today, and I think it went well! Spent the afternoon packing and getting ready for my trip to Morocco. I also submitted an important application for a fellowship for next year at Gettysburg. I’m hoping it will all work out, I’ll know by the end of the month!

Thursday, March 30^th-April 2^nd: Morocco 

London

Where to start! I absolutely loved London! I would move there in a heartbeat not going to lie. It’s a cute and trendy city that is full of diversity and millennials. I loved the vibe of the city, the shops, parks, and London’s West End or Broadway section of the city.

My friend, Tian, and I arrived on Thursday night. We checked into a hostel in Camden a little bit north of central London. The next day we went to the British Museum. One plus about London is most museums are free! After we decided to eat lunch at a chipotle near by. It has been about eleven weeks since I have last had chipotle so we were pretty stoked to be in a city that had one. After we went and checked into the next hostel in Hammersmith and met up with our other friend who flew in from Sevilla Friday afternoon.

Once we all got settled in we headed to Buckingham Palace. After, we found a pub near the Apollo Victoria theater in London’s West End, because we were seeing Wicked! We had a typical fish and chips dinner and then headed down the block to the theater. The show was amazing! I only wish I could have seen more shows as well.

Buckingham Palace

Saturday morning we went to Platform 9 ¾ at Kings Cross Station. This platform is from the Harry Potter movies, although it is not the actual spot that was used in filming. After waiting in line for over thirty minutes we got our tourist pictures. Following we went to brunch and then headed north to Abbey Road. We tried to get some pictures at Abbey Road but because it’s an actual road and there were a lot of tourists we weren’t really successful. Actually, it was an epic fail but the pictures turned out pretty funny. After we headed to Big Ben and Westminster Abbey. When we got off the tube we saw a protest regarding Brexit. We also walked the bridge where the attacks had occurred three days prior. Besides the flowers and memorials on certain points of the bridge you would have had no idea something had happened. Everyone embraced the motto of “keep calm and carry on”.

Abbey Road

Westminster with Big Ben in the Background

After checking out the area of Westminster we headed to Covent Garden for some afternoon tea at this super cute shop. For dinner I was able to meet up with my sorority sister Nicole in Piccadilly Circus (London’s Time Square). 

Afternoon Tea

We headed back to Sevilla the next morning, on Sunday, in order to be back in time for classes on Monday. Overall I absolutely loved London! This may have been my favorite city I have visited so far. Can’t wait to go back again some day. 

Week 10: In denial that I’m more than half-way through…

Monday, March 20^th:

Normal school day but I also got to meet my intercambio! He is a student at the Universidad de Sevilla. He does not speak a lot of English so when we meet for coffee the entire one hour conversation was in Spanish! I was pretty proud of myself for holding a conversation in Spanish for that long.

Tuesday, March 21^st:

Today I had my mid-semester meeting with our program director. It’s crazy to think we are half-way through the semester! Only nine weeks left until I’ll be back in the states. This afternoon I had our last pre-departure Morocco meeting. Next Thursday I’ll be off to Morocco! I also found out today I received an interview for an internship for the summer. I’m nervous and excited for that.

Wednesday, March 22^nd:

Today I had my interview for my internship after my classes. I think it went well but I also don’t have a great gut feeling about it so I guess only time will tell. After my art history, and last class of the day, I got the notification on my phone about the Westminster attack. It was surreal to see that because tomorrow I am headed to London. My host mom and dad had me watch the news, they even turned on CNN and BBC for me so I could hear it in English, so I was informed before traveling there. They were concerned for me, but I think everything is going to work out.

Thursday-Sunday, March 23^rd-March 26^th:

London! Stay tuned for a post about this trip. 

Struggles in Sevilla

Hey world. Some of you might be wondering why I have not posted anything new in a few weeks. Unfortunately I spilled my new favorite Spanish drink (Cola Cow which is warm chocolate milk) all over my beautiful Apple MacBook Air laptop roughly four weeks ago. Lets just say that day really was not one of the highlights of this semester.

Anywhoo...I've been without a computer for a couple of weeks now, which I feel pretty accomplished being semi-off the grid. One of my wonderful friends here lent me an extra backup laptop she had brought to Spain. I am so grateful to her because now I can update my blog again!

So that's why I've been sadly off the grid. Get excited for many post to come over the next week or so updating you on all the time I've been away.

Hasta luego!

Week 5: Adventuring in Granada and Sevilla

Monday, February 6^th

Just another day back in Sevilla. The weather was awesome compared to Belgium, it was probably around 68 degrees. I had my three typical Monday classes. After school I went shopping with my host mom and then did homework. Nothing too exciting.

Tuesday, February 7^th

Another typical day in Spain! I had one class today, my Public International Law class. Today is technically my Wednesday, which makes tomorrow my Friday (since I only have three days of classes). I also booked travel to Berlin and Amsterdam for the last weekend in February because I don’t have classes Monday or Tuesday for a Spanish holiday. I’m pretty excited for that trip!

Wednesday, February 8^th

Just another day in Sevilla and my “Friday” as Wednesday is my last day of classes. My friend and I got churros con chocolate today. My life is pretty predictable in Spain. I’m usually with the host family, getting churros and chocolate, in class, traveling, or sleeping.

Thursday, February 9^th

Spent today hanging out with the host family before I leave for Granada tomorrow. Nothing too exciting or new to report. I’ll have a post on Granada soon.

Friday, February 10^th -- Saturday, February 11^th

Granada!

Sunday, February 12^th

Got back from Granada late Saturday night. I spent today doing lots of homework and hanging out with the host family. We made tortitas (creepes) with my host sister. Their Grandmother came to visit again which was really fun. She is really sweet and patient with my Spanish.

Week 4: Classes, Brussels, and Many Adventures

Monday, January 30^th

Just another day in the beautiful city of Sevilla. It was 68 degrees today, it was amazing! I had three classes today. All my classes are all going well so far! Today I was focused on planning for my Brussels trip at the end of the week. I also did homework and practiced my Spanish with my host family. Nothing too exciting, just an average day.

Tuesday, January 31^st

Another beautiful day in Sevilla! I had my international public law class, which I am really enjoying! I spent the majority of the day doing homework and studying.

Wednesday, February 1^st

Last day of classes for the week! I started packing for Brussels and preparing for the trip. Spent time with the host family and of course…did more homework. Haha, too excited to get on an airplane!

Thursday, February 2^nd

BRUSSELS BOUND! Today I am leaving for Brussels at 8pm! I’ll have a whole section on Brussels coming soon. All day I prepped for the trip. I packed, went with my friend Natalie to the bank, and went shopping. So ready for the next adventure!

Friday, February 3^rd – Sunday, February 5^th

From Thursday, February 2^nd until Sunday, February 5^th I was traveling in Brussels! I will put together a whole post regarding my trip as well as photos on Facebook. Look out for more on Brussels in the upcoming days.

Week 3: First week of classes and Booking Trips!

Monday, January 23^rd

Today was the first time I visited the UPO campus, where I will be having all my classes for the rest of the semester. I had to take a Spanish placement test to see what Spanish class I would test into. I tested into intermediate one, which might not seem like a super great accomplishment since that class is middle of the road, but I was feeling pretty excited and proud. This is the farthest I have ever come when trying to learn Spanish and while I’ll never be perfect I feel like I am doing pretty well. It’s the little things in life friends. With that being said, there is still a long way to go until I would say I am close to proficient but I feel like I’m finally on the right path towards reaching that goal.

Tuesday, January 24^th

Today was officially my first day of class but the rest of the CIEE student's didn’t actually start classes until Wednesday. The reason I had class today is because I am enrolled in what is called a direct enrollment class. This means that I am taking a class with Spanish students directly through the University. My other three classes are through the international center on campus and are only with international students. The class I had today was called Public International Law. The class is taught in English so it’s not too hard. It’s actually really interesting! This might be my favorite class this semester.

After I went to a make-up session regarding bystander intervention through CIEE since the original one I was going to attend was during my Public International Law class. After the presentation, I headed back to UPO (University de Pablo Olavide) for orientation where I received my classes.

So study abroad, I think most people will attest, is a mixture of really great and pretty stressful or horrible days. Tuesday was one of those stressful not so good days for me. If you know me pretty well you know that I am more type A, so when I saw my schedule, unfortunately, all my classes conflicted. Of course, it’s not that difficult to make changes but it’s time-consuming and there is always that small chance that I can’t get into another class. So after one of my longest days here where I had pretty much been out of my comfort zone all day (going to a class with no Americans and going to a training where I knew no one) I wasn’t really in the mood to deal with a crazy class schedule. But, as everything always does, I told myself things were going to work out. Oh, on top of all of that, my phone screen started to develop weird lines…you could say it was definitely just one of those days.

Wednesday, January 25^th

So today was the “official” first day, but really my second day, of classes. I had a total of three classes, but I had to go to other classes and try to switch my schedule. Luckily all the classes I went to where I had to either switch to a different section or add the class, I was able too. I’ve always been pretty lucky with schedule changes so I feel very grateful the process for me was easier than it was for some other people.

My schedule looks pretty good overall. Mondays and Wednesdays I have Spanish from 12-1:20pm, then an Economics/Political Science class called “The European Union” from 1:30-2:50pm, and lastly a History of Spanish Art class from 4-5:20pm. That probably sounds late, but Spaniards eat lunch at 3:00pm so it’s a pretty typical time to have class.

On Tuesday I have the Public International Law Class from 10:30-12:30pm then a discussion group for the class from 12:30-2:00pm. I have no Thursday or Friday classes. Yes Mom and Dad, I’ll be using those days for studying and not for traveling.

Overall I feel really lucky for all the classes I have and all the opportunities I have been awarded so far with this experience. Although there have been some bumps in the road overall I’ve been very lucky and my experience has been overall really great.

Oh and as a side note I am currently applying for summer internships, while this is not Sevilla related it is semi-exciting and has been keeping me occupied over the past couple of days. Wish me luck! More details to come if the outcome is positive.

Thursday, January 26^th

Today was the second day of classes. Things are starting to fall into place. I think I have my class schedule all figured out, which is exciting. I had one class today called the Global Economy but I will probably end up dropping it, unfortunately.

After classes today my friends and I went to go get coffee and discuss some travel plans. While I do love Sevilla I am really excited to get out and travel, especially now that I do not have Thursday or Friday classes.

Also, side note: the UPO cafeteria is seriously the best, which is where I am currently writing this. They have this large patio where you can sit out and do homework or just hang out. The food is so cheap and really good (you can’t beat a .90 euro coffee). Also, there is this cat, which we think is a stray, that hangs around the patio. He’s pretty cute.

Also another side note: I just have this feeling that I’m going to come back to the states and crave tapas (specifically croquetas and chocolate con churros) as well as continue my obsession with Spanish music. Shakira’s Bicicleta anyone?

Friday, January 27^th

So yesterday afternoon I went with friends to a café where we were planning on booking trips to Madrid and Granada. We ended up booking a trip to Brussels for next weekend and Granada for the weekend after that. I’m so excited!

Today was pretty relaxing. I didn’t have class so I woke up later and relaxed. My friends and booked hotel for both trips. It is my host sister’s birthday today, she is turning 12! We went and got chocolate con churros, went and saw La La Land at the movie theater, and then went to dinner to celebrate. 

Saturday, January 28^th

Another pretty relaxing day in Sevilla! We visited the Las Setas, a structure with a 360-degree view of Sevilla, again. Later that evening my host brother took me to the center to see a preview of Semana Santa. Semana Santa occurs in April. I'll probably be writing more about it then. 

Sunday, January 29^th

We finally booked our Airbnb for Brussels! Everything is starting to come together. Today I also went to see roman ruins about ten minutes outside of Sevilla. Seeing these ruins makes me so excited to visit Italy and see the ruins there!

Roman Ruins