Reflections

It's been 3 weeks since I left Spain to come home. I've realized that I haven't really let myself think about my semester in Spain in-depth and actually put my experiences into words. How do I even begin and where do I begin? Guess the beginning is always a good place to start....


I always knew that I wanted to travel the world. When I was a little girl, my daddy would come back from his business trips to exotic places like China, India, Taiwan and bring my presents and stories back. I guess this is where I got bitten by the traveling " bug."


Fast forward to senior year of high school. I got the chance to go to Italy for spring break with some of my best friends. Seeing the ruins in Rome, riding a gondola in Venice, and visiting the statue of David in Florence were things that I dreamed of doing, but thought I never would. I will always look back on that spring break as one that showed me how wonderful the world was. Right after coming back, I knew that study abroad was my next goal. 


After months of preparation and worry and details, I was in Spain. I knew that I was going to be scared and nervous about being away from home for 4 months, but I also knew that I needed this experience. To know that I could go anywhere, not know anyone, and be okay. To know that I didn't need my family or friends to always be there. To know that I could be happy, just me. The first few weeks were tough, I felt torn between how much I loved Spain and how weird it felt being away from everything I was used to. But that feeling of wanting home slowly went away after the first month. After the first month, I completely fell in love with Salamanca. I coudn't have imagined a better city for me. It was everything I had hoped and dreamed about in a study abroad experience. I needed a place like Salamanca and it became home to me a little more everyday. 


Studying abroad was more than just improving my Spanish or learning to become more independent. I found a peace within me that didn't really exist before. I give all the credit to the Spanish way of living. Spaniards relax more, laugh more, just enjoy life more. I try to describe my experience to friends, but the memories that I cherish the most are the ones that really can't be described. How do you describe the peace you feel when sitting in the Plaza Mayor with new friends on a sunny day eating ice-cream? or the awe that comes over you when you see the Eiffel Tower, the Sagrada Familia, or Big Ben? My four months in Spain were so full of just pure joy. The bittersweet joy that happens once in a while. I never knew that my heart could be so full. Everyday, just walking to class, I was joyful and so at peace. The best moments of study abroad were the simple ones like sitting at a cafe with friends and speaking in spanish, going dancing until 8 a.m, eating a warm pastry in front of the cathedral. Little things like that made my experience so enriching. When people used to say that they " found" themselves during study abroad, I never really got that. but now i do. Because in a small way, I did find myself. I found out what makes me truly happy and where I thrive. And I found a place in which I am truly happy. For this, I am so thankful. Salamanca was my home for 4 months, but I will always think of it as my true home. 


I remember when I was leaving and saying good bye to my intercambio and my program directors, I couldn't help but cry. My intercambio said this to me, " Karen, it is good your heart is breaking because that means that this place touched you, changed you. and now you will always have this place to go to for happiness." My program directors also told me something that encouraged me that it wasan't goodbye: " No es un adios, es un hasta luego."  Translated: This is not a goodbye, it is a see you later." There is so much truth in what they both said.


I can't wait to travel again and to see even more new places. Adventure awaits in every place I want to visit and hopefully soon, I'll be getting  on a plane to go to a new place, a new culture where I can see even more of this amazing world. 


I am so thankful for my experience abroad. So thankful for the chance to visit London, Paris, Italy and many other places. So thankful for the happiness and peace I found while abroad. And last of all, so thankful for the love and kindness I experienced in Spain from my friends, host parents, program directors, and the numerous amazing people I met along the way. This was one heck of an adventure! Hasta Luego, Salamanca. Te quiero con todo mi corazon... 

salamanca: i'm in love

Hello everyone!

It's been a while since I've last updated. here's a recap!
I'm all moved in and settled into my new home here in Salamanca. This city is perfect. The past week has been especially fun because it has been the Festivals of Salamanca. aka party over here all day, everyday. It's an awesome experience because everyone is out and about and there have been concerts every night in the beautiful Plaza Mayor. My favorite part of the festivities is the casetas, outdoor street bars that sell tapas ( small finger food/ appetizers). It's so fun to be able to go to a caseta after class to get tapas. Last night, my API group went  " caseta hopping" where we went to 3  different casetas. Usually there is the " pincho de feria" which is like the deal that includes one food item and a drink like beer, wine, agua. It's about 3 dollars for all of it. So awesome.

I've been attending Spanish grammar, culture, and conversation classes everyday at the Univserity of Salamanca. The teachers are fun and I enjoy the classes for the most part. It's crazy to me that it's only been 2 weeks here. This place feels like home already.

Hope everyone is well in los estados unidos.
Love, Karen

Recap of the past few days

Hi everyone!!

Here's a recap of what we have been doing!
We left Madrid and arrived in salamanca 4 days ago! I met my host family. It is a retired couple: Maite is my mom and Tomas is my dad! I love them already; they are absolutely the cutest couple ever. Living in a host family environment is amazing because I get to be surrounded by Spanish all the time and am forced to use it. It has been wonderful so far.

Salamanca is awesome. There are no words to describe how happy I am here. Everything is literally perfect and seems like it should be out of a dream. The weather is amazing, the people are nice, shopping is too tempting, food is delicious... pure joy. I honestly can say that I am truly happy here. I do indeed have much to be thankful for.

I will be attending the University of Salamanca. It is the oldest university in Spain and the 4th oldest in all of europe. pretty cool! There is so much history and culture here, I am in awe of life here.

I hope everyone is well in the States. Kisses and Hugs from ESPANA!!

SPAIN: the best adventure

Hi Everyone!
I'm writing this from Espana! I'm in Madrid in the center of the city and it's AMAZING here. Words can't describe how in awe of this place I am. It makes me so happy to be able to walk out of our hotel and be in one of Madrid's main squares in a few steps! The buildings are gorgeous, the weather is perfect, food is delectable. Everything seems like a dream.

It's me and about 24 other students from API that are here in Madrid. We will go to Salamanca in 3 days. I can't wait to meet my host family and everything.

Today, we went to the famous Prado Museum. It's one of the world's most famous art musuems with thousands of pieces of art from many different centuries. We got to tour that and then had free time from 12:15 to 3;45 to explore whereever we wanted. My group decided to walk around and get lunch in the supermercado de san miguel. it's basically an indoor market with so many desserts, fruits, tapas, wine, and breads. I know i'll be going back there a lot.

This afternoon at 4, we are going to walk to the Royal Palace to tour that and see where the Spanish Royalty has lived. I'm super excited for that. Tonight, we go out! Spanish nightlight if pretty freaking sweet. the city never sleeps it seems!

Adios, hasta luego!

the last week

So much has happened since my last post about Cirque du soleil! Since that time, we have gone to d.c for 3 days, gone to Wilmington for the day and a ton of other activities. Let me recap:

Washington D.C was super crazy/busy/fun. I have always liked the city and I fell in love with D.C even more this time. It was an insanely busy 3 days. We saw more monuments and museums than I have ever seen in my life. It was exciting to do things like ride the duck boats of D.C and go to a Nationals' game. Basically, I love D.C and would love to work/go to school/ live there someday.

Wilmington was yesterday. We started the day off by exploring the battleship. I had a group of boys and I think they really liked being able to tour the ship and see all the different aspects of it. We then went to the aquarium and just looked around. I absolutely LOVE the aquarium; for me, it's such a peaceful place and I would love to be able to go more often. After a delicious dinner, we headed home.

This Monday starts the last week of camp. It's crazy to me that camp is almost over. It seems like one huge blur. It's been so fun at times and yet so frustrating at other points. I've definitely learned alot from this experience. 2011 has been an amazing year so far and I can' t wait to see how it turns out. Spain in a month... oh boy.

much love, Karen

Cirque Du Soleil

The past few days have been super busy here at FuHsing. July 4th activities turned out disappointing as it stormed that whole night, but we returned to the Durham Bulls stadium for a Japan vs. USA game. It was gorgeous night on July 5th and after, there was a 20 minute fireworks show. It was so beautiful to be able to see the fireworks and I loved seeing all of the kids reactions. They were so full of excitement and joy.. so precious.

Yesterday we went to Cirque du Soleil at the RBC center and it was INCREDIBLE. I've always wanted to see Cirque du Soleil so I had so much fun along with the kids. There was a lot of " oohs" and "ahhs" throughout the evening. For those who haven't seen the show, please do. It is probably one of the coolest shows I've ever seen.
Yesterday was especially fun because we all go to have a Q&A session after the show with 2 of the performers. They were from China and the kids were fascinated with them.

Today we go to some museums and have a pretty chill day. We go to Washington D.C this weekend, one of my favorite places to go. So pumped!
Until later,
Karen

CAMPERS HAVE ARRIVED!

Campers arrived on friday night at around 8 p.m. All of us counselors went to welcome them at the airport with our crazy bright signs and all. It was awesome seeing a group of 40 kids and their teachers all dressed in their yellow t shirts. They looked drained and I could totally understand how it is to feel after a 20 hour flight. We helped them get all of their luggage and then the meet and greeting began!

I absolutely LOVE my group of middle school boys. They are so cute and adorable and asdljfslj. Precious. The wonderful thing is seeing all 7 of them get along and hang out with each other.  No one is excluded and they all help each other out. I've never laughed more than I have in these last few days. They are such a joy. In my group of boys, I have so many different personalities and behaviors. Here's some kiddos in my group

1) Kyle: he's kinda the leader of the group. loves the word " handsome" and calls me  Lady Ka Ka. He cracks me up

2) Brian: He's a little shyer and quieter. He has this awesome spiky hair that everyone likes to touch. Sweet as can be
3) Paul: the brainiac. so incredibly smart and well spoken.
4) Jerry: the mischievous one. he likes to play little tricks and chase the meredith squirrels.

Yesterday was their first full day in NC. We had activities around campus and then we went to Lake Crabtree to play games. I played baseball and soccer with the kids. It was super fun and exciting to see all of them having fun.

I am loving this experience and so glad I did it. It's kind of bittersweet for me because it's like a part of Taiwan came to me this summer. These kids remind me of all I love and miss about Taiwan and I'm so glad that they are here in NC.

More updates soon. Tomorrow we go to a Durham Bulls game for July 4th! We're going to have our own viewing booth/area and fireworks after the game! I hope the kids have an awesome time learning about this American holiday!
Much Love, Karen