I now have less than one week to finish preparing everything to live for .. uh.. jan, feb, march, april, may, june ... 6 months in a country where i'll barely be able to speak the language!!! yikes!
No worries.. I've been preparing, I guess you could call it, by listening to spanish songs, watching telenovelas (spanish soap operas), and reading a Spanish Goosebumps book given to me by my sister-in-law (thanks Britt!!). Haha, maybe they'll help a little bit, if only to make me feel better-like I've been doing something in preparation.
I went to Bloomington this past weekend to visit people, say goodbye, etc. On the way home I went to Chicago to pick up my visa and I was reminded that there are so many things that you can't take at face value. For example, the process of getting a visa to study for 6 months in Spain is $100. But let's break this down "Mastercard style":
Upfront cost for student visa: $100
Total days spent on the process: 2
Gasoline to and from Chicago to apply for visa: $75
Parking once in Chicago: $20
Gasoline to and from Chicago to pick up the visa: $75
Speeding ticket incurred on the way to Chicago: $120
However,
Feeling of being legally able to live in foreign country: PRICELESS!!
There's quite a bit more involved in studying abroad than simply losing your life's savings, :) .. I know it's going to be worth it, not only will I have the experience of being totally emerged in another culture, but I'm going to be getting such a step up for my future career! As I'll be (hopefully) teaching Spanish, what better than to acquire a little first-hand experience in, and feel for, the motherland of the language!
About Me
- abby
- I'm studying Spanish Education with a license addition in English as a Second Language at Indiana University in Bloomington. I started this blog to keep friends and family updated on what's happening while studying in Madrid, spain.. now I'm in Lima, Peru from August to December :) \\ If you want to write to me, please do!! my email is aschmies@indiana.edu you can comment on the posts by clicking on the title, then scrolling down to the end of the post. //
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1 comment:
I think you'll do fine. If you don't I'll be right here to catch you when you fall. Or at the very least laugh and give you a hand back up.
Just remember, American's suck, that joke will take you far.
Don't let them intimidate you, you're Abby, beloved by all, that quiet girl from last year has been quashed. Just because it's a new situation, doesn't mean it's one you can't handle. Open a door and window, or something. I'm out of cliches.
Just remember, apply Hemingway to your Spanish if you need to, the message will get across and you will get better. I have every bit of faith in you, and if you don't like it I won't be too excited to your face when you come home, but you know I will be dancing inside. Of course I know that will never happen. Almost time.
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