Travel Tuesday

Well hello there, it's been awhile since I've posted. To be honest it's been a lack of inspiration. Yesterday was officially the half way point for me, and I'm honestly excited about it. I've been making plans for Christmas vacation, and I might even be able to figure out where I'm living next semester. It seems to be the time where life at home is going to continue and I'm honestly happy about it.

My parents and I meet up in Barcelona on Friday, and I can't wait to see them. I didn't realize quite how close I was with my family until I've had to be away from them for this long, where communication isn't as easy as in the US.

Here are some pictures of what I've been up to the past couple of weeks!

The park in front of la Casa de Juntas in Gernika, a sacred place for the Basque people.

Inside la Casa de Juntas in Gernika

The old tree stump from the Basque's oak tree. In the Middle Ages, the basque government met under oak trees. 

A replica of Picasso's Gernika.

Mundaka Spain

It's really breathtaking

People at the beach in the middle of October. Which I'm told is extremely rare. 

More pictures of the ocean, I just couldn't help myself!

We love field trips!

The view from where we hung out for the afternoon!

Bilbao at night!

More fun times!

Is there anything y'all miss from me? Organization tips or study tips?

Is there anything you want to know from my study abroad experience? 

xoxo

Travel Tuesday: Week 4 I Experience A Busy Social Life

This past week has been busy, and it was the best way to spend my fourth week in Spain. This Thursday marks one month in Spain and I've had such a great time.

This past week I did something every. single. day.  That is not something that happens for me, unless Matt and I only have a week together. It was great, and I'm starting to become close with people on the trip making the experience that much richer.


We went to San Sebastian on Saturday for a film festival and that was really cool. We hung out on the beach for a couple of hours, and then went to wander around until lunch. We had great pizza and sangria, then set off for the film festival. Due to lack of foresight, we went on the last day but we saw a movie at an international film festival. The movie wasn't very good to be honest, but we went! Some of the group had to catch a bus back to Bilbao at midnight, and they were able to see some pretty cool people.


This week we found our favorite bar, and our favorite cafe to study in. I started my two tutoring/nannying jobs and am starting to fall into a routine with my friends and host family.

This weekend I get to see my grandparents and I couldn't be more excited! I miss my family.. but as I become more and more comfortable I miss MB less and less.

The cathedral in San Sebastian. The stain glass windows are beautiful

La playa -- the beach

Candids by my girl SF. 

My girl MW and I with our film festival tickets.

Sunset over the  San Sebastian beach. PS note how I was at A BEACH at the end of September. I went in the water. #notinWIanymore

MH (the man), HG and SF (the girl looking at the camera). Who wouldn't want to ride a carousel in Europe?

MH, MW and SF have become my support team, my BFFL. I had a great week with them, and definitely feel the most like myself when I'm around them. 

xoxo

Study Aboard: Week 2

I can't believe I've been here two weeks, I'm so comfortable that it seems like much longer. As I expected, as I become more comfortable here I have started to become more and more excited for what the next 4 months hold!

Here are some interesting customs and everyday things that I have observed the past couple of weeks.


1.Alcohol is totally different here: In the US there is this stigma around alcohol, it's unattainable until you're 21, and then it's something that people turn to in order to fix something. However in Spain children are taught to have a different attitude towards alcohol, and they definitely think about it more casually then we do in the US.

1. University is different: In the United States many universities make sure to have the "total package", but in Bilbao there are two universities, and most young adults live at home until they find a job. Also, university is basically just a place of learning. Sure there are extra-curriculars but they aren't anything major like at universities in the US. Think of going to a top school, but living at home and not being involved in extra-curriculars.

3. Tomatoes and Seafood: That is basically my diet here, and I love it. I know for a lot of people it's not very ideal, but I love it. My host mom is a great cook, but I'm secretly craving my mom's breakfast food and baked goods as well as my dad's tacos and homemade pizza.

4.Life at home doesn't stop: My friends and family at home are still there, and I still need them in my life. They also don't stop needing you. Trust me, you are not forgotten at home, and you can't run away from things either. Make sure to tell your loved ones about your feelings, and make time to hear about what's happening in their lives!

5.Friends make everything better: This past week I connected with a group of great people, and have had the option to hang out with someone everyday. It's great, and we have definitely started to make memories I know I'll have when I'm 70.

6. Attitude is everything:I've had one really bad episode of homesickness, but that was the only time I allowed myself to feel bad. There are definitely times where I have to remind myself the be positive, but there isn't a day that goes by that I'm not thankful I'm here.

7. I love Europe, I love Spain, I love Bilbao: Even though I'll definitely be ready to leave Bilbao in December, I'm falling in love with Bilbao and it's culture, along with Spain and its cultures, and the history of Europe in general. I'm already day dreaming of the next time I'll come back with my hypothetical family in 15 years.

Wearing my letters to the beach. 

After an afternoon at the beach, I got to watch a beautiful sunset in Plentzia, Spain

More photos of the sunset over the river

Friends at the Bilbao v Barcelona game. Watching it in a bar was so much fun! 

Silliness one night

This beautiful fountain in the main park in the middle of Bilbao. I walked there after class one day. 

What are your study abroad experiences like? I'm looking forward to Madrid and Toledo this weekend!

xoxo

The First Week

Writing this post is weird. I can't believe I've been here for almost a week. Here are some of my thoughts on life abroad so far.

1. Sometimes I miss my family. Little things like breakfast, or saying goodnight. But I'm so blessed to have this opportunity. I keep reminding myself of this and it's getting better.

2. Hearing that my friends and family miss me just as much as I miss them has been great. Thank you so much to all of my family and friends who have texted and emailed me.

3. The eating schedule here is so different from mine at home. I normally have a big breakfast, small lunch, and a medium sized dinner with snacks in between. Here? It's a small breakfast, lunch at 2pm and dinner at 9pm with no snacks. To say I'm hungry is an understatement. I heard it gets better, I can only hope!

4. The way they communicate here is very different. They use data to text on Whatsapp instead of using actual texts. I bought minutes and texts, and now I wish I would have bought data.

5. I'm a lot more confident in myself then I was a couple weeks ago. I have wandered around all by myself, bought a special metro card and bought myself dinner and drinks.

6. I still have jet lag. I haven't been able to fall sleep until 12 or 1 in the morning.

7. I am loving all of the walking and exploring I've been doing. It's definitely helping me feel more comfortable. Saturday night I was walking around the city and trying to break in my new Sperry's. However I got lost, and now my feet are raw. Thank goodness I know how to say bandage in spanish.

8. My spanish is getting better everyday, but it still isn't very good. I'm reading spanish newspapers and making lists of words I don't know that I'll turn into flash cards. I'll do a post later on how I embraced the language.

9. I'm getting really excited about classes starting on Monday! I enjoy school, and am excited for a routine!


Here are some pictures you might enjoy from my exploring so far!

Riverside near my university

My university!

The river in Plentzia, which is a town near the suburb I live in. 

The first church in Plentzia

Riverside near my apartment!

xoxo

Study Abroad: Clothes Packing List

I'm really excited to finally start my study abroad series! I leave in 28 days, and I know that it's going to fly by. Every Monday in August I will be posting about my study abroad packing process.

First is what clothes I'm packing. Read: this does not mean shoes (whole different post).

Layering is key:Since I am going to be studying abroad during two major season shifts, I am going to have to layer. That's why I'm bring sweaters and button ups as well as cardigans and t-shirts. I want to stay true to my classic, preppy style while being able to mix & match.

Buy statement pieces there: If you don't know about the magical world of H&M you need to find one. Since I will be there for 4 months I want to kind of blend in, so I am looking to get trendier pieces at H&M. It's cheaper this way and my suitcase will be lighter.

Basically my plan is K.I.S.S. , keep it simple stupid. This way I have what I need but don't spend a lot of time wondering what I am going to wear.

What would you add clothing wise to this list? Any other tips for studying abroad?


xoxo

P&P Studies Abroad

If y'all don't remember this post from March, I'll be studying abroad! I have surprise for y'all this coming August, but until then I am going to be posting about my steps leading up to studying abroad this semester.

{Passport} I've had a passport since I was 16, but for those who don't, you'll need that before you can really do anything else. Walgreens is where I got to get photos, but a quick Google search should give you other options!

{Visa} Make sure to know about what is required for your visa and what is not. It is a lot of paperwork and should be started ASAP! I would recommend getting everything done right away. I procrastinated a little bit on mine and am definitely regretting it. You have to wait for some paper work but have everything ready right away.

{Flight} Once you get your passport, I suggest looking for flights. They can be really expensive, and depending on whether or not you have a lot of time. I would search student discounted sites as well! I didn't know about these until just recently.
If you're going for a semester like I am, and plan on traveling after your semester don't book a round trip right away. I'm traveling with a friend at the end of my semester and we haven't completely planned our trip yet so I'm waiting to buy a one-way ticket back!

{Credit Card} Try and find a credit card that won't charge you exchange fees. Also, request that the company give you a microchip in your credit card. Long story short you might have your credit card information stolen in Europe if you don't have the microchip.


Sometimes we all forget about these big things in the excitement of studying abroad! Are you studying abroad? Where?

xoxo