Viaje a Salamanca

After months of anxiously waiting to pack up and go, I can hardly believe that tomorrow we'll be leaving this country for another. Ever since I found out I would be able to take this incredible opportunity, it's become an abstract idea. Without a doubt, I knew that I would soon be studying abroad in the beautiful city of Salamanca. I knew when I signed up, I knew when I renewed my passport, I knew when we got the itinerary, but in my mind, it was still just a notion, simply a far-off event in time to look forward to. And now with just hours away from our departure, the abstractedness has left, and I've found myself eagerly expecting the unexpected. From the times I have travelled before, I have learned that every city and every country will catch you off guard in their own way and that you can never fully anticipate what it will be like to be in a new place. There will always be cultural nuances and shocks that will enrich your life and understanding of the world in new ways, and I love the thrill of never being able to be fully prepared for it. The history, the architecture, the food, the people - I look forward to all of it in Spain, especially the language. I have been studying Spanish for several years now, but this will be the first time I will be able to extensively practice Spanish and truly engage with the culture. Language is the gateway to a culture, and I hope that after this trip and course, I will have experienced Spanish culture to the fullest extent.