It doesn’t seem quite possible. It has been a total of 346 days and it honestly feels like yesterday. This year has been nothing like expected and I am so grateful it wasn’t. From wanting to quit my job on a weekly basis to discovering more about myself in a condensed time than I think ever would have happened if not abroad out of my comfort zone.

This year it was expected many things from professional advancement, traveling, and meeting new people, but I am coming home with so much more. My job was not the reason I travelled and is also the reason I am not returning to Madrid, Spain. It is impossible for Americans (I have heard from many sources) to get jobs other than English Teachings (which I have for sure discovered, is not my calling!).

So travelling. I did more than expected and still feel I didn’t take enough advantage. I travelled to 12 countries, 29 cities, and only 1 continent. It was something I haven’t quite digested yet. I feel my life this year has been on fast forward and of course the part I want to stay away, returning to USA, keeps coming faster and faster. I am happy with what I saw and don’t regret the uncountable debt I have acquired. It will all work itself out (right?)

And lastly growth. I knew this was going to be similar to moving away for college. You know no one, you meet people, make friends, and then finally (hopefully) you graduate. But in the end this was much more. I knew no one and met many people. I made lifelong friends that have helped me to grow and gain confidence in so many ways. I know it is clique, but I do feel like a very different person returning to that states. From the big city of Madrid to my small “no” stop light town, it will be an adjustment I am sure.

This year has been nothing, but excitement and a rollercoaster at the same time. I am excited to see what the next year brings!

The city off the Map

Not many people think to travel to Portugal because of its size and maybe because there is not one huge monument that stands out to visit, but I highly recommend it. Other than the amazing people that live there, Portugal has something to offer for all people. One of my favorite cities was Porto in the north of Portugal. This city is easy to get sucked into tourist traps but if you follow these suggests you can enjoy the city on a budget!

1. Visit the Lelo Bookstore

2. Wander the old town streets 

3. Try the Wine! 

4. Try the famous Francesinha

5. Soak in the sunset from the best view in the city

You may have heard many things about Barcelona. Including their stellar beaches, jaw dropping architecture, and one of a kind views. At the surface level Barcelona may feel like any normal city but the secret corners that are untouched are where the beauty can be found. To avoid not being a “giddy” (Spanish word for tourist) take a look at these locations to make the most of a quick weekend getaway:

1. Get the best view of the city from the top of Montjuic Mountain

2. Look back on the city from the wide open ocean on a sail boat trip. 

3. Take a scroll in the Guell Park before 8 am

4. Enter one of the only speakeasy bars in the city to enjoy one of a kind cocktails. 

5. Enjoy the architecture of Gaudi on Paseo de Gracia and Casa Mila

As much as we all like to think that we don’t need to know or travel with health insurance, you never know when you might need it. AKA: Kidney Stones come out of nowhere.

Last week I woke up with a slight pain in my side. Beginning to think back through my diet as well as if I may have held my own in a fight at a bar I came to no conclusions. Thinking it was a fluke, I went back to bed with the hope it would pass. I woke up hours later to find the pain was more prominent and was now in the front bottom of my abdomen as well. I was unable to get comfortable as well as go to the bathroom. Period. After a while of debating my next steps I decided to go to the hospital.

At arrival my pain grew to an unbearable pain. Working through tests, bloodworm and the ability to translate medial terms in Spanish all lead to a 4 day stay in a hospital and a procedure all in a foreign country. I have never been admitted to a hospital but of course I had to do it in Spain no matter the pain.

4 days and a procedure later all I had was a cold and a few embarrassing stories of yet again, language barrier at its finest (Lets just say I undressed for no reason thinking I was asked to be naked for an Xray… at least the Xray tech was attractive). This was something that I don’t recommend, but does have maybe a few positives (if you are a half full type person)

Positive #1: I did got to experience the Spain Healthcare System and I must say it is well organized and efficient. All staff was so helpful and patient with my language (or lack there of…)

Positive #2: The support and love I received from my roommates and fellow co-workers was more than I could have ever expected from people I just met two months ago.

Positive #3: I can do this. In a foreign country, admitted into a hospital, only support of those I have met two months ago= not the best situation I could think or expect during this year abroad.

It has been a while but I am still here and kicking! I have settled into a great apartment close to the center of the town. Nerves have subsided and I have fell into the swing of things with my job. I can see that learning Spanish is going to be my biggest down fall and struggle moving forward.

One thing you never realize is the lack of effort needed when communicating in your native language. You never have to think about the inefficiencies when meeting new people, when going on a first date, talking about your day, emotions, needs, wants, and humor. Before coming I never even thought about the language barrier and how difficult it would be. The effort and determination to learn Spanish is necessary to making a life here that is remotely similar to the one in the United States. I have seen in the short two months I have been here that all my anxiety and loneliness stems from the ability to communicate to my full extent. I come off as closed off and introverted when in reality I am the opposite. Language is something that we all take for granted.

Not only living in Spain and knowing minimal of the language as well as teaching English, I have come to admire language and how we communicate. It is amazing how we may never think about it, but language is essential to happiness and is the key to connection with others.

As much as this is what is my biggest peak to conquer, I am afraid I don’t have a solution to pass on other than time and practice. I have noticed that natives appreciate the attempt to speak their language and would rather you stumble than to not try at all. No one knows all languages so best we can do it try and fail rather than never try at all.

I have found my place. In such a huge city, full of people there is a secluded place in the middle of the madness. Even though there are hundreds of people around, I don’t hear a thing. This places beauty enchants me as I sit and reflect. The sounds of shoes on sand, birds flying over, children playing, and my pen scratching the paper below me. I find peace thinking with my thoughts. I have found my place.

I come from a very small town and am not used to a hustle and bustle of cities like Madrid. Being able to finally find a place I can take a deep breath and feel at ease in the madness has saved me. These past few weeks have been a whirlwind and I haven’t had time to process many of my thoughts. Today I take a moment to reflect. I can feel the comfortability in the city, but am struggling with my direction here. I appreciate the work, but don’t feel the passion for it. Thinking back, I have never felt passion in a career…

I had time on my way to work today to listen to a podcast about Dreams and how to make your dreams and aspirations come true. There were 7 key skills to know:

1. Change your Attitude: Change your lenses
2. Take ownership of your life
3. Erase I can’t and the excuses of why you can’t succeed
4. Get off the Couch: objects at rest stay at rest and objects in motion stay in motion.
5. Commit to your goals
6. Do the work!
7. Accept consequence

Credit: Pick the Brain Podcast- How to Dream Specifically

You don’t realize how much of a “small town girl” you are till you leave the small town. Having anything you can imagine at your disposal has lead me to truly appreciate the city. I have met more people from more backgrounds and cultures in the past week then I have in my whole life. The beauty of the world is at my fingertips and it is incredibly inspiring.

Being new to a city can be overwhelming and confusing. In the past week I have worked through phone dilemmas, learning public transportation as well as finding the nooks that will inspire me in my work and writing, and banking (what a nightmare).

With being new in a city and knowing minimal people, it is important to try to meet as many people as possible to benefit the most from your time and experiences. Here are my suggestions to getting integrated into a new city Solosploring style:

1. Join an Inter Cambio: Inter cambios are designed to help younger people meet and learn the native language. In Spain many include Tapas, drinks, and dancing. These weekly events can help you to get to know locals but also learn a language you may be struggling with. Some places to find Inter Cambios include: MeetUp and City Life Madrid.
2. Take language classes: The most difficult part of moving to a new city is feeling disconnected from the culture which includes connecting with people through language. Having a firm grasp of the language can help to meet more people as well as not feel so isolated in a city.
3. Experience the culture: In Spain there are so many festivals that are a true example of the liveliness of the country and their culture.
4. Find the local places: Since being here I have been pulled to many bars and clubs that you only hear English spoken. As much as this could be comforting, it is not the reason I came to Spain.

Adjusting in a new city isn’t easy and is incredible uncomfortable. The most difficult part of moving to a new city is feeling disconnected from the culture which includes connecting with people through language. If you are to move to a new city, make sure to expose yourself to as much as possible to become connected and more comfortable.

(v.) defined as the act of traveling to new places alone. Usually accompanied by growing as an individual in ways that other activities couldn’t obtain.

I just have to board the plane. I just have to board the plan. I just have to board the plan.

I keep telling myself over and over. My anxiety is rolling but deep down I know this is right. If I can just step on the plan the rest will be easy. The unknown of this departure is making my stomach spin uncontrollably it is even hard to speak. My irrational self doubts keep creeping up and taking control.

I am leaving all that is known. Being dropped in the unknown and uncomfortable. My lifelong dreams of living abroad and finding what I am truly capable of is today.

This makes Day 1: Hour 0