Anything BUT the ordinary

A year of getting used to a much simpler lifestyle and not even having to worry about getting a license because of the awesome public transportation was something I had to leave the thought of once coming back to the United States, a big culture shock. I'm sure for any student who has studied abroad or is currently studying abroad will also agree. This simpler lifestyle you find in studying abroad is something that I feel every undergraduate student should experience. It was the best part of my undergrad. career and when I came back to the U.S. there was probably not one day that passed by that I didn't say or think "I miss Spain." The simpler lifestyle opens up your mind to new ways of thinking and responding to situations. It tests your capabilities in ways that you can never imagine because you never thought you would end up in a certain situation. You find the patience and strength within yourself that you never knew you had. If anything, I think you feel a sense of boldness when you come back, making you feel that you conquer anything that is in front of you.

My first semester in Madrid, I stayed with a host family and most of my friends were UC kids. All my classes were taught in Spanish and were with UC and East Coast students from various universities. You make strong bonds with these people because you are put in a situation where you don't know anyone and the only people you feel comfortable counting on are the ones in your program- partly the reason why you stay with your clique. Living with a host family was a very rewarding experience, I had two host brothers and a host sister and we always communicated in Spanish. My free time was spent with UC students and there were moments we tried talking to eachother in Spanish to continue practicing, but we always ended up going back to what was the native language for most of us (English). I got to travel to different places such as Portugal, France, Italy, and various parts of Spain. Although it was great and our group had different personalities that made our group complete, I still felt I needed to stay longer in Spain. It was a a mix of emotions while I was deciding (nerves and excitement), and I remember weighing pros and cons while talking to friends and family contemplating my decision. I came up with more pros than anything, and the biggest pro was that if I don't do it now, when am I going to have the chance to? Coming back to UCR I also see the reasoning behind my choice. I'm finishing my last year as an undergraduate and I'm already worried about what opportunities are going to be available in the difficult economy we are facing. For this and many other reasons, I extended my stay. I was one of two out of the 62 people in the UC EAP program who extended their stay, and it was one of the best decisions I've ever made.

It wasn't going to be easy, you see I would have to find my own housing and take regular classes with Spaniards. I decided to move in with my friend Jana (a friend I made first semester who is from Spain). I don't think I have ever been more nervous than at this time of my life. Luckily, I got along with my roommates. It took a while to get used to the way of life students in Europe have. I had roommates from Italy, South America, and Spain. We were known as the "international apartment" amongst out friends. They reminded me that the most important thing in life is doing what makes you happy, don't worry about the ones who put you down or judge, and living simply with no fancy merchandise is the best way to live. Sometimes in the capitalist society we live in, it's hard to remember that. What they reminded me of, I still carry with me today. I've stopped buying things I don't need and appreciated the smaller things in life. During my time there, there were many manifestations occurring. I was able to go to one with my roommates and I've never seen a society unite the way Madrid did for a cause that they are supportive of. Most of my free time was spent independently or with them, and my Spanish improved so much more because that is the only language we would speak between eachother. I knew the Spanish language already from growing up in a bilingual home, but my accent and fluency improved so much more from staying a year and taking classes with the locals. It's hard leaving close friendships you formed in another country, especially when that country is on the other side of the world. I hope my life gives me the chance to go back there again. I still keep in contact with them, and as I said my goodbyes with tears running down my face it wasn't a goodbye, but a see you later and thank-you. A thank-you for the best time of my life and a life I'm not sure if I'll ever get the chance to experience again.

I recommend to any UCR student thinking of studying abroad, DO IT! The best time to do it is when you're young. It's possible and I never thought I would have the guts to do it, even more stay a year in a foreign country, but the rewards (which will be different for everyone) that you receive are so life enhancing and something I feel our American generation needs to have. You become open-minded and your opinions on many things may change because you steer away from a status quo that our society may have instilled in you. So be bold, take the adventure, and challenge yourself! Keep on livin'

Gabriella Landeros

Universidad Carlos III de Madrid, 2010-2011

Read the original article on the UCR blog:
http://lifeatucr.tumblr.com/post/12521573340/anything-but-the-ordinary-a-year-of-getting-used