I can remember as far back as eighth grade thinking about studying abroad in Europe as one of my life-long goals, and then again in high school, and my freshmen year at Aquinas. I didn’t think it would happen, it wasn’t until I boarded the plane in Chicago that would take me, seven other students, and Professor Carmen Ruiz-Sánchez to Spain that it finally became real.

After an almost 9 hour plane flight from Chicago to Madrid, I got off the plane, tired and in a daze. Regardless of our lack of sleep, we were off to take in the sights. What followed were three days and nights spent walking the streets of Madrid and visiting palaces, cathedrals, parks, and museums.

Visiting the Palacio Real, the royal palace of the Spanish family was phenomenal. I have never before seen such luxury. Going to the Parque de el Retiro and soaking in the sun with the group was a pleasant time spent in the company of friends, talking, and eating the best pizza of our lives.

Then there was the food to experience. Everything from freshly squeezed orange juice (zumo) for breakfast, pinchos (small portions) of tortilla de patatas for lunch, and eating calamari for the first time was a success.

As an art major, I have treasured the experience of visiting the Prado and Reina Sofia Museums. To stand before works of art that until then I had only seen in a textbook left me speechless and inspired. Seeing Velazquez’s Las Meninas, Pablo Picasso’s Guernica, and Goya’s black paintings was unreal and unforgettable.

Our time in Madrid came to a wrap before we knew it and soon enough we were on to our main destination, Salamanca.

At the train station we meet our host families. My experience living with my host mom and a Japanese student have been one of the highlights of studying abroad. Within a couple of days I felt like I had known her much longer than the few days I had spent in Spain. She reminded me so much of my own aunts from Mexico. Constantly asking if we would like a second helping of food (answer, yes).

The classes in Salamanca have offered me an experience unlike any other. During our classes we will talk in Spanish, and then in between classes you’ll hear Chinese, Japanese, French, German, English being spoken between students. I have greatly enjoyed the conversations that I have had with the students next to me in class. Whether it’s about what we did over the weekend, the trips we have planned for the next, or stories about our home and our experiences studying abroad.

My time is Spain has really only just begun, but it is flying by. I am looking forward to traveling to Portugal, meeting new friends, and overall enjoying each day that I have in the city of exquisite culture.