To say the least, being abroad has been the most humbling and terrifying experience ever. But also, the most rewarding. I can confidently say that the Loral who arrived in January is not the same Loral as the one leaving in May.
As soon as I stepped off the bus in Trujillo, my bags were retrieved, and I was kissed on each cheek by my host dad who spoke such rapid Spanish that all I could do was nod my head while tears formed. I have never cried more than my first day in Trujillo. The homesickness had not yet kicked in, but I was extremely overwhelmed. I realized that the language I had been learning since the second grade was now foreign and began to question whether I had made the right decision.
If my host family has been anything this whole semester, they have been kind. From the bottom of their hearts, they have welcomed me into their home, introduced me to extended family, inquired about my personal life, and even comforted me when I was struggling.
A common phrase in Spain is “No pasa nada” and it translates to “Don’t worry about it” or “It doesn’t matter.” These three words have been uttered so many times that I now believe them. Anything that comes my way is now met with the idea that there will be another day.
The biggest thing I have had to experience while being abroad (other than the total culture shock) is that relationships change. For the better. For the worse. For the time being. For forever. Whether the relationship is personal or trivial, deciding who or what matters is huge and depends on one’s stage of life.
I have met wonderful people on this trip, some I can proudly call “forever” friends, friends that I hope to never stop checking in with. I have also met those that I know are only meant to be temporary, which is not to say I cannot enjoy their company for the time being. This time away from home and from my comfort zone has made me realize it is okay to outgrow people and cultivate new relationships.
I think the most exciting thing in life is being confident in your ability to say “no” and to recognize when something is not for you. With that being said, the Loral that will soon leave Spain is more educated, thoughtful, and adventurous than she could have ever imagined.
It is true that nothing easy is worth doing and that good things come from stepping out of our comfort zones.
