Closingggggg Time - Granada Edition

What will I take from this experience here in Granada:

Its hard to think about this whole thing coming to an end. After 6 weeks, life in Granada comes to understood as the norm, the reality. As I contrast my current self with the one 6 weeks in the past, I do notice a few differences. 

My Family: Here in Spain, the bond of family is stronger than any other. Getting to see that first hand and really getting to be accepted into a family has helped me to realize how fortunate I am to have the family I do back home. I realize i'm not always grateful for everything they do or I don't always display my gratitude and love that I have for them. I am definitely going to be taking that with me and making some changes. 

Happiness in Life: I think the past 6 weeks have been some of my happiest in a while. Id obviously love to be happy in life so I have been thinking about what it is that made me happy here. For one, low stress. We had homework and tests but that was really our only obligation. My host family really brought me a lot of joy during my stay here. Not only did they make me feel at home but they took care of really any problem that I had. Mis compeñeros were super great as well. Everyone is kind and funny and I feel like they would be there for me if I was in trouble. Really looking forward to continuing those relationships in the future.  Life here made me think about where I value my own personal happiness. Everyone has goals but what are they for if attaining them means being miserable or something less than happy. Just made me think about some things. 

Cultural differences: This is pretty straight forward but everyone is different. I am glad I was able to experience a new culture here and see how people interact. It is often tough to try and take things from one culture and move them into a different existing one but I am going to try to do that with certain aspects of this culture. Everyday kindness being the biggest part. Saying hi to people on the street. Doing favors for those who you care about and others and expecting nothing in return. Just things to make peoples day better. 

3 Do's and Don'ts to future participants on this program: 

DO - Plan any tours you want in advance if you are traveling separate from the group on the weekends. We went to Barcelona and thought you could just walk into a lot of these places right when you show up but that is not the case. 

DO - If possible, talk only/primarily in Spanish with your host family. Not only will it help you learn the language but it also helps you grow closer with them while building fun memories. 

DO - Rest easy if you are worried about not knowing enough Spanish. I really did not know much at all upon coming here (4 years in HS and then nothing for 3 years) but it all ended up wonderfully. Within the first week you will have already made huge amounts of progress and the teacher will be good at easing the transition. 

DON'T - Forget to put sunscreen on all of your back when you go to the beautiful beaches of Nerja or Malaga. The sun is relentless. Also you cannot rent jetskis there unfortunately. 

DON'T - Feel obligated to have all your days filled with activities. It is really nice to sometimes just take some time out of a bust day to just wander the city and relax with no agenda. 

DON'T - Be afraid to put yourself out there. You will be immersed in a new group of people who want to be your friend and experience these new things with you. Let yourself go and make some new relationships! 

PAZ

THNX4THEMEMORIZ

- Patrick Wilson