By mtejan
With my time abroad coming to a close, I am able to reflect back on my semester in Madrid. I think I was extremely idealistic at the beginning of the semester, particularly in terms of my Spanish-speaking level. I have learned so much, and definitely have improved more in this semester than in the past 10 years of studying Spanish. With that being said, however, I do not think it is possible to be fluent in a language after only 4 months of complete immersion. Whenever I am speaking to a waiter or a store worker or even someone on the street, I start by warning them that Spanish is not my first language. I am a conversational level, and my host family tells me I am too hard on myself but I think I am just so anxious to be fluent!
If I could have another semester abroad, I absolutely would. Not only because of the Spanish but because of how much I have learned about myself! I still identify the same way I did at the beginning of the semester: Texan, American, and mixed race. These are identities that I will never change about me. However, I feel so much more comfortable in unknown environments and I feel like I have grown more confident in interacting with new places and new people. I have such a thirst for adventure and travel that I do not think I can quench. I am so appreciative of this semester of the countries and sites I have been able to see.
I am most grateful for the people I have met. The most difficult part about leaving Madrid will be saying goodbye to my host family. I am intent that this will not be goodbye forever, but it is strange to imagine that after 4 months together, I will never live with them again. They are such kind and generous people and I’m not sure I would have been able to live with just any family. It is this family, the Ibáñez family that was able to take me in and make me feel welcome and apart of their unit. I most definitely will be keeping in touch with them, and my host sister may even be visiting the US next summer. I would recommend every student studying abroad to stay with a host family. They just might make you great food and make you feel more welcome than you ever thought possible.