So, that’s it. Year abroad: done. I’m now sat in the garden
of my family home in Somerset having completely unpacked all of my belongings in England
again trying to take in the last 8 months of my life.
When I first started looking to study French and Spanish at university
I always knew that the year abroad was a compulsory part of the course but I
never thought that it would actually happen. That might sound strange, but it
always seemed so far in the future that I never imagined living in Spain for 8
months to become a reality. Even when we started planning it last year it still
felt like planning a holiday. But here I am a year later, a lot sadder to
leave a foreign country which became my home than I ever thought I would be.
I don’t know how best to summarise my experience but it was
without a doubt the best, most exciting, and scariest 8 months of my life. I’ve
met some incredible people who I will be friends with for the rest of my life, travelled to amazing places, and transferred my
whole life from one country to another. I’m really proud of myself and my
friends for adapting so well and, effectively, starting our lives from scratch in a different country.
It hasn’t always been easy but I wouldn’t have changed a thing about my time in
Spain.
My own experience has even inspired me to become more involved
in the ERASMUS society in Southampton as their social secretary, planning trips
and events for the foreign students in Southampton. While I’m really sad that
my year abroad experience is over, I’m equally excited for the next adventure.
So, for now, Goodbye, Adiós, Au revoir, or even Agur!
