"You're going where?"
"Galicia."
"Oh...where's that?"
Well since you are so curious and begging me for the answer, let me google this real quick because I'd like to know myself. So a quick google image search shows Galicia to be in the northern part of Spain, right above Portugal, and it appears to be nothing like the rest of traditional Spain--it rains... a lot, and you can forget bullfighting, paella, tapas, sangria, and castellano while you're at it.
"Can't you switch regions?"
"Maybe different will be good?"
If you read my introduction tab, you know this is far off from the path I thought I'd be on. But funny how one can veer off the straight pathway ahead and change plans in an instant. I went through my fourth year blindingly enjoying every "last," going out, taking fun classes without thinking about what I would be doing with my time off before going back to graduate school. I had gone to a professor's office hour one day to talk about a paper that was due, and although I went into office hours trying to find ways to ace this paper, I came out with something much better than a good grade. Somehow along the way we got lost in conversation, and she had mentioned a program her previous student had done in Spain.The idea of going back to Spain excited me--the months I had spent there were probably the best months of my life-- I had learned so much about the culture and the language, met so many people, and traveled everywhere. But reality hit when her previous student had e-mailed me back:
"...you shouldn't expect actually living in Spain to be like studying abroad in Spain. They're just two very different experiences... All in all, the program wasn't perfect, but I'm really glad I did it. I learned a lot, not just about Spanish, but about myself and life in general. The experience is certainly wonderful, even if it's not always a good experience all the time."
I went into the process really picturing the same life I had lived abroad, but that e-mail alone made me realize it wouldn't be easy. But no adventure is truly an adventure without several mishaps and a couple of bumps in the road...right? And any situation you're given is what you make of it so I went ahead and applied anyways. Besides already being your typical broke like no other post graduate student--What was I to lose? The program I ended up applying to was through the Spanish ministry of education for the position auxiliar de conversación. (For those currently in search of a program to do, there are many out there--BEDA, UCETAM, etc.--I just hadn't done my research in time to apply to those by the deadline). So after filling out the long tedious application and sending it along with my references and statement letter, I waited.... and waited... and waited until that one early morning in late May I read an e-mail saying I was placed in Galicia.
"Galicia, oh...where's that?"
I would be lying if I told you I was thrilled when I first heard the news. I had experienced traditional Spain whilst abroad my third year of college and absolutely loved my weekend trips to Madrid, Barcelona, and Seville and prayed to God that I would be placed in either of those regions. Instead I was placed in what appears to be that little region isolated in the wayyy top left hand corner of Spain. So I did what anyone would do and e-mailed them begging to switch. While waiting for their response, I read through many blogs, websites, facebook groups--really anything on the internet to get a better picture of Galicia, and the more I read, the more scared I was --- I really knew nothing about this place. But scrolling through pictures and reading about everyone's experiences there, I began to slowly fall in love with Galicia and decided to keep my placement and accept. Yes, I know...how do you fall in love with a place you've never been to? But that's kind of where all the fun is isn't it? I used to be that type of girl who needed to have everything organized and planned out. Now I'm just going along for the ride and seeing wherever it takes me (which part of me thinks- Cha, you are crazy). So I am following my heart and moving to Galicia to the wonderful city of Vigo, and whether my love for the city grows, or I end up hating the place all together, it will be an adventure for sure.
Yours truly,
The Lost Traveler (TLT)
"Galicia."
"Oh...where's that?"
Well since you are so curious and begging me for the answer, let me google this real quick because I'd like to know myself. So a quick google image search shows Galicia to be in the northern part of Spain, right above Portugal, and it appears to be nothing like the rest of traditional Spain--it rains... a lot, and you can forget bullfighting, paella, tapas, sangria, and castellano while you're at it.
"Can't you switch regions?"
"Maybe different will be good?"
If you read my introduction tab, you know this is far off from the path I thought I'd be on. But funny how one can veer off the straight pathway ahead and change plans in an instant. I went through my fourth year blindingly enjoying every "last," going out, taking fun classes without thinking about what I would be doing with my time off before going back to graduate school. I had gone to a professor's office hour one day to talk about a paper that was due, and although I went into office hours trying to find ways to ace this paper, I came out with something much better than a good grade. Somehow along the way we got lost in conversation, and she had mentioned a program her previous student had done in Spain.The idea of going back to Spain excited me--the months I had spent there were probably the best months of my life-- I had learned so much about the culture and the language, met so many people, and traveled everywhere. But reality hit when her previous student had e-mailed me back:
"...you shouldn't expect actually living in Spain to be like studying abroad in Spain. They're just two very different experiences... All in all, the program wasn't perfect, but I'm really glad I did it. I learned a lot, not just about Spanish, but about myself and life in general. The experience is certainly wonderful, even if it's not always a good experience all the time."
I went into the process really picturing the same life I had lived abroad, but that e-mail alone made me realize it wouldn't be easy. But no adventure is truly an adventure without several mishaps and a couple of bumps in the road...right? And any situation you're given is what you make of it so I went ahead and applied anyways. Besides already being your typical broke like no other post graduate student--What was I to lose? The program I ended up applying to was through the Spanish ministry of education for the position auxiliar de conversación. (For those currently in search of a program to do, there are many out there--BEDA, UCETAM, etc.--I just hadn't done my research in time to apply to those by the deadline). So after filling out the long tedious application and sending it along with my references and statement letter, I waited.... and waited... and waited until that one early morning in late May I read an e-mail saying I was placed in Galicia.
"Galicia, oh...where's that?"
I would be lying if I told you I was thrilled when I first heard the news. I had experienced traditional Spain whilst abroad my third year of college and absolutely loved my weekend trips to Madrid, Barcelona, and Seville and prayed to God that I would be placed in either of those regions. Instead I was placed in what appears to be that little region isolated in the wayyy top left hand corner of Spain. So I did what anyone would do and e-mailed them begging to switch. While waiting for their response, I read through many blogs, websites, facebook groups--really anything on the internet to get a better picture of Galicia, and the more I read, the more scared I was --- I really knew nothing about this place. But scrolling through pictures and reading about everyone's experiences there, I began to slowly fall in love with Galicia and decided to keep my placement and accept. Yes, I know...how do you fall in love with a place you've never been to? But that's kind of where all the fun is isn't it? I used to be that type of girl who needed to have everything organized and planned out. Now I'm just going along for the ride and seeing wherever it takes me (which part of me thinks- Cha, you are crazy). So I am following my heart and moving to Galicia to the wonderful city of Vigo, and whether my love for the city grows, or I end up hating the place all together, it will be an adventure for sure.
Yours truly,
The Lost Traveler (TLT)