Amanda Malvik: Blog Post #5

My love letter to my study abroad semester – todas las cosas y personas que cambiaron mi vida.

As the end of my semester abroad approaches with finals and farewells, I can’t help but think back upon all of the experiences of the past four months of my life.

A year ago today, I would’ve never suspected that in a year I would’ve been at the end of my study abroad semester, at a different university, writing my last abroad blog on a plane.

I’m so glad for everything that didn’t work out so that I could be here right now on this plane. Reflecting on the most life changing semester of my life.

I could write about all of the places I’ve seen and traveled too. However, in my opinion that hasn’t been what’s been the most important experience of my semester.

This semester, I’m grateful for:

The nights where my roommate and I were laughing so hard in our room we couldn’t breathe.
The dinner table talks with my flatmates with our best, and most embarrassing stories.
The homesickness.
The red-eye flights that left me lagging for days.
The long walks to class that seemed never ending.
The runs home in the rain because Spain couldn’t remember its normal climate.
The shoes ruined from running home in the rain.
The phone calls home with a gulp in my throat.
The strangers I’ve danced with.
The knowledge gained about the world and myself.
Not fluently speaking the dominant language.
Being able to meet people I would have never met without this program.
The good and the bad.
Everything that led me up to this exact moment.

And lastly, I’m so grateful for the opportunity to work on my journey to becoming a more culturally competent, global citizen.

If you have the chance, study abroad.

Thank you for everything, Seville. I love you forever!