Tuesday, April 30, 2013

Returning and Leaving, again....

Hello all! It's been a little over 4 months since I have returned from Spain and wow what a semester this has been. Adjusting back to life here was definitely way harder than adjusting to there. I have had some sad spells but I try to focus on the fact that I am extremely fortunate for having been able to live in Spain for 4 months. The first few days of being back were very odd and exciting. I distinctly remember stepping off the plane in Dallas- Forth Worth and feeling like I had entered a new world. My perspective of our country changed so much while I was in Spain and it was so crazy to walk off the plane and hear English all over the place and to go into the bathroom and have automatic soap dispensers and PAPER TOWELS. Although silly, it was the little things such as those that I had never noticed before and suddenly felt foreign to. The way of life here is so different just with the day-to-day things, and I couldn't get over the fact that we have huge stores such as Target with absolutely everything and that you have to make a long drive just to go somewhere instead of hopping on the metro or taking a walk. I know 4 months isn't THAT long, but it apparently was long enough to change my perspective so much. The change in perspective, however, isn't a bad thing. I have a huge appreciation for Target and stores like these now because of the convenience. I feel very fortunate for everything that is given to us here, and I never noticed how easy things are for us just on a daily basis. After awhile I got used to all of the cultural differences again, but I have learned to value both ways of life, and I will never forget to be thankful for the conveniences that I have. Upon returning I started working as an intern in the IAP office for the company I studied abroad with, ISA. It has been great working in the office and I love promoting study abroad because I now realize how valuable it is. I'm pretty excited that within a couple months of returning it has already benefited me career wise, too! I do have to admit that I had a hard time getting over the fact that my awesome experiences were over with, though. One word of advice for returnees: DON'T look at your pictures on Facebook right away, it's sad!! Maybe that's just me, but I started to reminisce too soon, I think. It's a slow process for me personally because I had looked forward to that experience for 8 years so I had to remind myself to be happy that I finally got to do what I had always wanted to. But now that I've said all that....I will also admit that I am returning to Granada once more for a summer study abroad with school. I know, I'm addicted. I'm really excited for it! I'm starting my MA in Romance Languages and Literature so I figured what better way is there than to start it than at my home overseas!? I am even more excited for my 17 day 6 country backpacking trip afterwards, though! My friend doing the Lyon program and I are going to go to: Amsterdam Berlin Krakow (we will also see Auschwitz while there) Prague Vienna Geneva It just doesn't get any better than that. Life is great!

Thursday, April 18, 2013

Spring in Lyon



vintage market


Spring in Lyon has been great! Yesterday it was in the 80s and it hasn't been much cooler the past couple of weeks. Over the weekend Lyon held a vintage fair where local vintage shops set up booths in the Tony Garnier Hall and thousands of people supposedly showed up. Everyone are eating outside again and I haven't seen so many people at the Tete d'Or Park or by the river since I've been here!