What they don't tell you

The shoreline in Gexto

Before I left everyone told me how much fun I would have, how awesome this experience will be, and how many pictures I should take. What no one told me was, in reality I was going to feel scared and alone the minute I walked off the plane.

Growing up I always used to say how I was never going to live the rest of my life in Maine, how I wanted to live in a city and get of out my small town. Now I'm living the dream--internationally at that. And what do you know, as soon as I arrive in the beautiful Basque Country of Spain, my heart pangs for the New England I know and love.

New room

Everyone gets you psyched for the amazing trips, the chance for language proficiency, the night life, and meeting new people. Well I wasn't excited, I was sad to be in Spain. I found there is a lot of time spent alone, rather than out making memories. I find I am sometimes frustrated with the language and I feel lost. The first few days I literally hoped I could come up with an excuse to fly home.


Since classes have started each day has gotten better. I've been trying to accept and embrace the alone time that is not filled up with new and exciting activities. Not every moment of every day is awesome just because I'm in a foreign country. Sometimes that's what makes it harder--the hype of studying abroad.

My bed for the next five months

But it's the end of my first week, and I already feel more calm. The anxiousness is still there at times, but as I learn more about the city, and language it'll will start to feel more natural to be here.

I am learning, I am having fun, and I am making new friends. It's just been a rough transition, but I'm okay and it can only get better.