Today I got a new phone, and if it weren't for that, I wouldn't have had to RE-login to every single app/website on my phone. After re-setting my password (because it has been a while), I was able to get back in here! I re-read every single post on here, and a decade later, it still gives me the same joy that it did writing it. As a now soon-to-be 31 year old, my introduction post sounded SO dramatic! LOL. I cringe hard at calling myself "the lost traveler," but it was at a point in my life where I was leaving the idea that everyone had about me and finally doing something that I wanted to do. There was so much to figure out about myself! A decade later, it is still the BEST decision I have ever made. It led me to my career of teaching Spanish, which I still absolutely love! I look back on my time there now and wish I had stayed a third year. Towards the end of my time in Spain, I remember feeling extreme anxiety about "being behind." I was seeing my friends back home have full time jobs and continue with medical school. I started to think about how I wasn't able to save much money while abroad and decided I had to go back and start working. No one was telling me this, by the way. It was more the pressure I put on myself by comparing myself to where people were (and seeing people's social media posts...damn you, social media!). And for someone who grew up as a perfectionist, a straight A student, and someone who did everything she was told, it was difficult to not feel "behind." There were many difficult periods coming back home and figuring out the next step, but I learned to slowly release all the "shoulds" and enter into a period of doing what made me happy.
I still keep in touch with all my Spain friends and truly feel fortunate to have made an AMAZING group of friends abroad! It started off with my first roommate, who introduced me to his close friend (who ended up becoming my roommate my second year woohoo!) and from there I met a ton of wonderful people. I also took a life changing blabla car ride where the driver introduced me to his friend group. We still do whatsapp messages/calls here and there, and it helps keep the memories abroad alive! They even have come and visit! In 2018, they came to celebrate one of our friends who got married in Minnesota. And this past summer, my roommate came and visited with her boyfriend. I am already dreaming about my next visit to Spain.
As I browsed my blog, I came across a question from my "contact" page and I feel terrible for never having responded! It was from 2021 and the person shared "I hope you're still finding joy in travelling without a particular goal or itinerary." I actually can't figure out how to respond back at the moment, but when I find out, I will write yes! Studying abroad in 2013 was where my love for travel deepened and helped me know that it had to be a big part of my life as an adult. And yes, if you do your research, it is very affordable!
Since my time back, I have explored the lovely countries of Belize, Colombia, and Mexico & have swum (or swam?) in the beautiful waters of Saint Lucia and Saint John & and I have visited new states such as Wyoming, Texas, Louisiana and Nevada. This summer (YAY TEACHER SUMMER!) I have a big trip planned around Asia - I will spend a month and a half exploring Japan, Taiwan, Thailand, Singapore, Malaysia and the Philippines. I have also fallen deeply in love and am coming up on 3 years together!
Now, for a professional update! I mentioned in my last post that I was working on my masters while working at a private school in 2018. I am happy to say that in 2021 I graduated from my masters program and moved into the public school system. I love where I teach, despite many of the challenging post-covid students/admin regulations, and am grateful for the supportive, fun, and energetic world language department that I have.
I have no idea who will end up reading this, or if anyone will, but I felt inspired to write after going through my old posts. If you happen to have made it this far, thank you for reading :)
Peace&love,
Charina
I still keep in touch with all my Spain friends and truly feel fortunate to have made an AMAZING group of friends abroad! It started off with my first roommate, who introduced me to his close friend (who ended up becoming my roommate my second year woohoo!) and from there I met a ton of wonderful people. I also took a life changing blabla car ride where the driver introduced me to his friend group. We still do whatsapp messages/calls here and there, and it helps keep the memories abroad alive! They even have come and visit! In 2018, they came to celebrate one of our friends who got married in Minnesota. And this past summer, my roommate came and visited with her boyfriend. I am already dreaming about my next visit to Spain.
As I browsed my blog, I came across a question from my "contact" page and I feel terrible for never having responded! It was from 2021 and the person shared "I hope you're still finding joy in travelling without a particular goal or itinerary." I actually can't figure out how to respond back at the moment, but when I find out, I will write yes! Studying abroad in 2013 was where my love for travel deepened and helped me know that it had to be a big part of my life as an adult. And yes, if you do your research, it is very affordable!
Since my time back, I have explored the lovely countries of Belize, Colombia, and Mexico & have swum (or swam?) in the beautiful waters of Saint Lucia and Saint John & and I have visited new states such as Wyoming, Texas, Louisiana and Nevada. This summer (YAY TEACHER SUMMER!) I have a big trip planned around Asia - I will spend a month and a half exploring Japan, Taiwan, Thailand, Singapore, Malaysia and the Philippines. I have also fallen deeply in love and am coming up on 3 years together!
Now, for a professional update! I mentioned in my last post that I was working on my masters while working at a private school in 2018. I am happy to say that in 2021 I graduated from my masters program and moved into the public school system. I love where I teach, despite many of the challenging post-covid students/admin regulations, and am grateful for the supportive, fun, and energetic world language department that I have.
I have no idea who will end up reading this, or if anyone will, but I felt inspired to write after going through my old posts. If you happen to have made it this far, thank you for reading :)
Peace&love,
Charina