As this study abroad experience is ending, I am left astonished at the amazing relationships I have made with fellow students, teachers, and local Spanish people. Firstly, to anyone who is considering studying abroad, I would tell them to dive right in and say yes. I will forever cherish the memories I made on this trip. I saw so many counties and made so many close friends. My experience with my host family was the best I could have asked for. I learned so much Spanish and could not have made the progress I have towards fluency without this experience living in Trujilo. If I were to give any advice to future students, it would be to take each day as it is. It is so easy to get overwhelmed with school, planning travels, money, whether your Spanish is improving, etc., but the point of studying abroad is to immerse yourself in the culture and put yourself in these uncomfortable situations so that you can grow as a student and as a person. Do not come into studying abroad expecting everything to be perfect and to never be difficult, but when those times do come, try to embrace them and find the joy in them.

This study abroad experience pushed me to grow in my independence and happiness in myself and my decisions. It also taught me the importance and opportunity of being uncomfortable in speaking a foreign language and building relationships with people you do not know. I cannot stress enough that a price cannot be put on the growth that comes from studying abroad.
I cannot wait to come back to Spain and see my host family and Spanish friends I made while here. It feels as though I am leaving people that I have known for most of my life. I would love to come back to Spain and maybe take a gap year here in between college and PA school. In the future, I will take any opportunity I get to travel abroad and see the world.