Assignment 3- Madison Underwood- My Experiences Studying Abroad

Prior to my departure from the United States to Spain, I had never flown by myself, nor had I even left this continent. Needless to say, I was a little apprehensive. My studies in Spain lasted four weeks, with four hours of class every morning on the weekdays, and cultural exploration filling our evenings and weekends. Walking around the streets of Granada, Spain, I was surrounded by a culture so rich that I could practically see the history written on the faces of the merchants and on the stone of the fountains. Some of my favorite cultural elements include the traditional Flamenco dancing, the tortilla de patata (my favorite Spanish dish), La Alhambra (a historic castle that Granada is most noted for), las siestas (the much-needed naps after lunch), and el helado de Los Italianos (the best ice cream I've ever had!). However, this trip was far from easy-going. On the third day, every student signed La Palabra De Honor, a language pledge that prohibited the use of any language besides Spanish. Moreover, our phones were also confiscated and only returned twice a week for one hour (to call home). Speaking only Spanish for a month, I was able to improve in my resilience and persistence in new situations. I was also able to grow in my maturity and gained a new sense of independence. Lastly, my love for exploring the unknown intensified like never before.