¿Quién soy yo? Pre-departure thoughts

I have purchased my plane tickets. All the logistics are set up for me to travel to Spain. It is finally setting in that I will spend an entire year in a foreign country. Woah. While I am incredibly excited for this new journey, I am also frightened.

When I entered college, I set out to learn Spanish mainly because of its beauty and its practicality in the United States. There is much more to the language though as I have realized since my first day at Saint Mary’s. I look at the wonderful friends that I have made in college, and I see the relationship between identity and language. They have given me a glimpse on what it means to be a first-generation Hispanic in the United States. I, myself, am not a native Spanish speaker, but their openness has given me greater insight on their culture which I have come to love.

I chose to study abroad in Seville for a year even though most students at my college choose only a semester. Although it will be challenging, I want to ensure that I achieve fluency in Spanish. The Spanish Studies Abroad program has a Spanish-only policy, which I find helpful in attaining my goal. Furthermore, I want to develop my Catholic faith while abroad. Spain is a traditionally Catholic country, and learning how Spaniards practice Catholicism will enrich my faith. Additionally, I plan to conduct research for my senior comprehensive on yoga and cultural appropriation while I am abroad. I will be able to explore how yoga, an eastern religious ritual, is practiced in a European setting rather than in the United States. This would also give me a unique opportunity to learn Spanish vocabulary outside of the classroom.

My fears are similar to anyone studying abroad: the possibility of homesickness and the Spanish-only challenge. I currently live an hour away from my family, so I have the comfort of knowing that I could go back home anytime to see them. When I am in Spain, I will not have that luxury. Normally, I am independent and do not go home often anyways to see my family, but I am slightly worried that I will get homesickness. Moreover, the idea of speaking only in Spanish is scary. What if I pronounce something incorrectly? What if I get lost while exploring somewhere? What if I forget simple vocabulary? Ahh! Who knows what else is in store?

Overall, I am not that worried. I am preparing myself for my upcoming journey now by practicing Spanish on my own as well as reading up on Spanish culture and society. Only less than two months away from leaving the United States and volando a España!