Following a rather rocky transition into Spain, my last three weeks of the program have come to be the best twenty-one days of my life. While overcoming homesickness and learning to enjoy unfamiliarity, I now regard Madrid as one of my favorite cities. With beauty at every corner and a vibrant culture amongst all residents, Madrid has taught me to value new opportunities. Moreover, I have made lifelong friends from differing countries, including Holland, France, and Portugal, as well as with American students I had not previously known. Additionally, my knowledge of the Spanish language has improved drastically. While once not able to speak basic sentences, I can now hold conversations. By way of illustration, while first meeting my homestay mother six weeks ago, I could not comprehend most of what she was saying. However, today, while unfortunately leaving her home forever, I had the opportunity to speak with her about our future endeavors.
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Ultimately, I would like to thank Dr. Prieto for providing the Verano España program. I may never have the opportunity to live in Madrid again; however, I am grateful for the experiences I have encountered.
