Goodbye Spain

Now that I am at the end of my study abroad experience I feel like I should spend a moment reflecting on what I have learned during my time overseas.

In Spain I have learned quite a few things. Practically, I have learned to speak a new language, live in a different culture, and use Google Maps, but I must say that the largest lessons that Spain has taught me have nothing to do with technical skills.

My time in Seville, living in a local home and attending the local university, has shown me that in all of the biggest ways, all people, Spaniards, Americans, and everyone else, are exactly the same. We all love our friends and families, our significant others, and our children. We all worry about money and education. We all work to make our lives better and we are all proud of where we come from.

Having seen these similarities I have grown to understand that the only differences that exists between different cultural communities are in how we express this sameness. In Spain there is futbol and Feria and in the states we have baseball and the 4th of July, but these different holidays and sports are simply varying reflections of the same humanness. 

That being said, my time in Spain has also made me proud to be an American. In the past few months I have come to realize the ways in which I am a complete product of the American culture.  I love our diversity, our openness, our food, and our language.

I am so thankful for my experiences here and at the same time I am sad and excited to go home! I’ll be back Spain, but until then, America here I come!