It’s mind-boggling to think that nearly five months ago from today I was thrown in the streets of Barcelona by some ignorant taxi driver, with five bags of luggage and no sense of direction. With a heavy hear and hesitation, I boarded the plane back to the U.S., thinking about the city that I once considered foreign, and a city that I now call home. I reminisce about all of the memories that I’ve made, and how I will forever cherish the lifelong friends and family that have entered my life, the incredible and unexplainable experience that has shaped and molded me for the better, and the four most precious months of my life. I have come to terms with, but not accepted the saying, Goodbye, Barcelona… And on a brighter note, HELLO to (friends and fam)— 24/7 wifi, hot water, English and……….’MURRCCAAA!!!
Now that I am back in the States, it is a little depressing, but as my Homestay mother once said, “You must never forget where you have come from, and you must always be proud of this,” Which is true, and I do value everything that America has to offer. Being abroad has taught me more about myself in the past five months than I have throughout the 20 years that I have been alive.
(Homestay Madres–Ros� y Rosa)
“Don’t make big mistakes, just small ones, and live your life with happiness and luck.” -Rosa
It’s weird, because now that I am home, I have culture shock. I feel homesick, especially when I realize that Barcelona has become my home. I already do, and always will, miss it. However, I know that I will be back one day, and I know that within time I will readjust to America, the America that I’ve always known.
I hope everyone had a wonderful Memorial Day Weekend. I also hope that those of you who have been following my journeys take studying abroad somewhere as wonderful as Barcelona into serious consideration. I promise you will forever be grateful for the opportunity.
-Becky
Location: USA
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Hi Sarah,
Thanks for the comment! I really do think that the moms that I had treated me as if I were part of the family. However, at the same time, things that I felt like I should have done at my own home in America (cleaning up after myself, washing the dishes, washing my clothes, etc.) they did for me…I definitely got used to it after a while, although not being able to wash my own clothes felt a little weird. Once I arrived to my homestay, they immediately showed me around, stressed that I help myself to the food (at certain hours) and emphasized that I should ask them for anything I might need. I think spending a little bit of quality time with them definitely helped too–I would sit down with them when they were watching TV, or sit down as my mom cooked and talk to her. They would always give me life advice, so that was neat too..I hope you have such a great experience, as I know you will. Good luck with everything!!
So glad you had a chance to visit Barcelona! I wish I heard more about your trip, this was a brief blog about it. But still, I’m happy you returned home safely.
Hi Becky, it sounds like your trip had a rough start. I’m glad you ended up having such a fabulous experience. I plan to study abroad for a semester as well, and I hope that I become as attached to my new home as you did. What do you think really helped you to become at home in Barcelona?
I didn’t have the pleasure of following your entire journey in Barcelona (Although, now I might have to go back and read the rest of your entries), but it sounds like you had a fantastic time! The memories and the bond that your forge with your host family is one that will never fade. I can’t wait to see the experiences that I have with mine.