Six months ago I boarded a plane for a semester of unknown adventures! January 23rd will likely be a date that brings back fun memories for many years to come - the day I hopped on a plane fairly unsure of what I was getting myself into. What a time it's been now that I've adjusted (pretty much) to life in the United States. I do love the good ol' USofA. I thoroughly enjoyed embracing my patriotic pride on the 4th of July as we should truly recognize how blessed we are to live in a country plump full of liberties and rights. I of course went a little over the top - singing every patriotic song in the book, dressing in red, white, and blue from head to toe, and waving Old Glory for a vast majority of the holiday. Yet even as I proclaim my love for the homeland, I am reminded of how much I adore our southern neighbors, where I spent four spectacular months in Mexico. It's hard to believe it all started six months ago, and oh how much I've learned in this past half year. Since returning home there are a plethora of things that remind of of Merida, and endless times when something will happen and I immediately search for my phone so I can call or text Katelynn, who was abroad with me, to share the story. My pre-Mexico life has been good at listening to my stories, asking me about Mexico-isms, and being interested in how things have been since returning on May 8th.
I walked to the Hennepin County Library earlier this summer, and discovered it takes 15 minutes from my house. So I equate this distance to be the that between my Mexican house and school. I have yet to find coconut popsicles or ice cream that can even attempt to taste the same as La Gran Michocana, and I miss my weekly treats. There have been days I've nearly died of the heat here in Minneapolis, complaining of the sweat, yet I compare the temperatures and heat indexes to Mexico and find I was suffering more there than here. I then ask myself "How did you do it?" I have yet to submit a reply. I've set my alarm clock to a popular Spanish song from my time in Mexico, and wake up to "Danza Kuduro" everyday. I still do a little dance before I pop my head off the pillow. And a 9 day trip to western Mexico in the middle of June to visit my family provided a flood of memories as I passed Oxxo shops, was immersed in español again, and tasted some of the great cuisine.
Summer is going fast, as we find ourselves nearing the end of July. Things are in full swing, busy as ever, and I nearly cringe when I see the school supplies on display at Target (but not as bad as the Christmas products already out at Hallmark). I am beginning to prepare myself for a very busy fall schedule, moving into a new house with five other friends, and migrating down south to Des Moines, IA (I wish it were slightly farther, to Mexico). I have been blessed this summer to have taken up the challenge of reading the Bible in 90 days, through a plan I was introduced to by a friend. God has revealed a lot as I sit down daily to read through His Word. He is abundantly faithful, forever full of Truth, overflowing with love, and providing me with much grace. We serve a great God. I continue to be passionate about seeking justice for the victims of human trafficking and modern day slavery, encouraging and advocating for the developmentally disabled, and being a breath of refreshing air to those around me in a very "worldly" world. Attempting to accomplish all this with the help and motivation of Christ.
After reading through dozens of outdated posts, I realized that I mainly blogged about food, the heat, and my love for my Spanish professor Ana. But looking back, underneath all of the superficial stuff, I learned valuable lessons about others and myself. I found the following thoughts from a blog written by a girl I don't know, but can relate to many of the ideas or laugh at the statements' reality as myself or other students went through the same things.
What I Learned While Study Abroad, by Amanda Hawkins:
Here are some of those lessons I learned while studying aboard, and why I think everyone should jump at the chance to do the same:
I walked to the Hennepin County Library earlier this summer, and discovered it takes 15 minutes from my house. So I equate this distance to be the that between my Mexican house and school. I have yet to find coconut popsicles or ice cream that can even attempt to taste the same as La Gran Michocana, and I miss my weekly treats. There have been days I've nearly died of the heat here in Minneapolis, complaining of the sweat, yet I compare the temperatures and heat indexes to Mexico and find I was suffering more there than here. I then ask myself "How did you do it?" I have yet to submit a reply. I've set my alarm clock to a popular Spanish song from my time in Mexico, and wake up to "Danza Kuduro" everyday. I still do a little dance before I pop my head off the pillow. And a 9 day trip to western Mexico in the middle of June to visit my family provided a flood of memories as I passed Oxxo shops, was immersed in español again, and tasted some of the great cuisine.
Summer is going fast, as we find ourselves nearing the end of July. Things are in full swing, busy as ever, and I nearly cringe when I see the school supplies on display at Target (but not as bad as the Christmas products already out at Hallmark). I am beginning to prepare myself for a very busy fall schedule, moving into a new house with five other friends, and migrating down south to Des Moines, IA (I wish it were slightly farther, to Mexico). I have been blessed this summer to have taken up the challenge of reading the Bible in 90 days, through a plan I was introduced to by a friend. God has revealed a lot as I sit down daily to read through His Word. He is abundantly faithful, forever full of Truth, overflowing with love, and providing me with much grace. We serve a great God. I continue to be passionate about seeking justice for the victims of human trafficking and modern day slavery, encouraging and advocating for the developmentally disabled, and being a breath of refreshing air to those around me in a very "worldly" world. Attempting to accomplish all this with the help and motivation of Christ.
After reading through dozens of outdated posts, I realized that I mainly blogged about food, the heat, and my love for my Spanish professor Ana. But looking back, underneath all of the superficial stuff, I learned valuable lessons about others and myself. I found the following thoughts from a blog written by a girl I don't know, but can relate to many of the ideas or laugh at the statements' reality as myself or other students went through the same things.
What I Learned While Study Abroad, by Amanda Hawkins:
Here are some of those lessons I learned while studying aboard, and why I think everyone should jump at the chance to do the same:
Freedom and Independence
As depressing as it sounds, while studying abroad you will no longer be connected 24/7 with your friends and family. You have to create new friendships and learn to not rely on your close relations for everything. But under all of the sadness you may feel from being disconnected to your friends and family, you will gain a sudden feeling of independence and freedom. You will learn how to be alone and that it’s okay to be alone.
Without studying abroad in a foreign country without foreign experiences, you may never learn to live on your own. If I wouldn’t have spent six months on Spain I would be completely dependant on my friends – but I learned that it’s okay to take a walk alone, self, sit at home alone and read or even see a movie alone.
As depressing as it sounds, while studying abroad you will no longer be connected 24/7 with your friends and family. You have to create new friendships and learn to not rely on your close relations for everything. But under all of the sadness you may feel from being disconnected to your friends and family, you will gain a sudden feeling of independence and freedom. You will learn how to be alone and that it’s okay to be alone.
Without studying abroad in a foreign country without foreign experiences, you may never learn to live on your own. If I wouldn’t have spent six months on Spain I would be completely dependant on my friends – but I learned that it’s okay to take a walk alone, self, sit at home alone and read or even see a movie alone.
Facing Adversity
While abroad you will meet many different types of people from different countries with a vast variety of backgrounds and opinions. While abroad, you will have to learn how to face adversity. Everyday you will go out into a new world that you know nothing about, where you will learn independence. You will learn how to not be alone but also how to rely on almost perfect strangers for support.
Studying aboard, to me, is a warning for what “real life” is to come. You are thrown into a completely new situation and you won’t know what’s coming – you will have to roll with the punches. That’s what studying abroad is – a completely new place, a new culture and a new set of rules. It’s about learning these new rules through trial and error. And sometimes your host mom will yell at you for using too much electricity, but you will learn how to adapt.
Confidence
I studied abroad in a country and with a program where I was required to speak a foreign language most of the day. Each day I felt more and more comfortable with my skills. I soon learned by overcoming this adversity that, “Wow! If I can do this, I can do anything!” I also didn’t have many non-American friends, so I tried to make an effort to talk to complete strangers in the grocery store, at the bus stop and downtown.
Like me, you’ll return to the U.S. and show off your newfound skills by talking to complete strangers and making a fool of yourself but that’s okay! You’re confident now.
Friendship
When you return to the states this is the true test as to who matters to you. Who did you stay in contact with? Who did you bring back gifts for? After being gone for six months, who do you want to call the most? This new experience will teach you to appreciate your friendships more than ever. And your new friendships will become increasingly important. You and your friends from studying abroad are now forever bonded by this experience together. 10 years from now when I look back to my Spain blog or my photos, my first thought will be, “My great friend Liz really made that experience special.” And she really did.
What I Learned While Studying Abroad
While abroad you will meet many different types of people from different countries with a vast variety of backgrounds and opinions. While abroad, you will have to learn how to face adversity. Everyday you will go out into a new world that you know nothing about, where you will learn independence. You will learn how to not be alone but also how to rely on almost perfect strangers for support.
Studying aboard, to me, is a warning for what “real life” is to come. You are thrown into a completely new situation and you won’t know what’s coming – you will have to roll with the punches. That’s what studying abroad is – a completely new place, a new culture and a new set of rules. It’s about learning these new rules through trial and error. And sometimes your host mom will yell at you for using too much electricity, but you will learn how to adapt.
Confidence
I studied abroad in a country and with a program where I was required to speak a foreign language most of the day. Each day I felt more and more comfortable with my skills. I soon learned by overcoming this adversity that, “Wow! If I can do this, I can do anything!” I also didn’t have many non-American friends, so I tried to make an effort to talk to complete strangers in the grocery store, at the bus stop and downtown.
Like me, you’ll return to the U.S. and show off your newfound skills by talking to complete strangers and making a fool of yourself but that’s okay! You’re confident now.
Friendship
When you return to the states this is the true test as to who matters to you. Who did you stay in contact with? Who did you bring back gifts for? After being gone for six months, who do you want to call the most? This new experience will teach you to appreciate your friendships more than ever. And your new friendships will become increasingly important. You and your friends from studying abroad are now forever bonded by this experience together. 10 years from now when I look back to my Spain blog or my photos, my first thought will be, “My great friend Liz really made that experience special.” And she really did.
What I Learned While Studying Abroad
Well imagine that, another lengthy post by Emily Madsen. I just wanted to share some thoughts at this six month mark and express my gratitude once again for the time I did have in Merida, Mexico! Take care, and enjoy the rest of your summer!
I love you I love you I looooove you and i'd do anything to live a 17 minute walk from you! :( viva mexicoooooo bebe :)
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