I kept getting emails and notifications about what I should be doing to prepare, which classes I would be taking, and things of that nature.
This was actually happening.
I think this was one of those moments when you fully comprehend the power that being an adult has and how your actions have very real consequences. There's no, "Oh, let me just sign up to travel to Spain and study the spanish language intensively for 2 months," whims. It is very real. And I don't think I realized this fully until the months progressed and deadlines started coming up.
We had meetings to tell us about what we should bring, what to expect (more or less), and safety precautions to take when traveling abroad. Again, I don't feel as though I was taking this as seriously as I should have been, thinking, "Psh. I've traveled around the world like it was my job. (It was actually my mom's job, I was just lucky enough to tag along sometimes, but anyway...) I got this. I'll be fine." And there was nothing wrong with doing that. Optimism is my go-to. But I was about to be reminded that my previous travels were a bit different than this one.
You see, I had forgotten that when I had traveled before, I had always had my mom or dad or another adult to guide me and tell me where to go and what to do and keep me on schedule. It's in these moments when travel documents and travel emails and bills are sent to you that you have to again realize, "I am not a child anymore." Of course I couldn't have done this without the help of my parents and advisers at school, offering support and help all along the way, but this time was a little different. Documents were made out in my name. I was responsible for turning things in on time. I had to know which clothes to bring, what I had to do before I left, where I had to go and at what time. Adult things that I was not used to.
Again, like I said though, I was not alone in this at all. Shout out to my mother dearest, who talked with the travel agent about getting me on the group flight with my other classmates and gave me much more peace of mind when traveling with a group. Life saver. Another shout out to my dearest father, for helping me out with financial information for the trip and making sure I had the best time I could in Europe and not have to worry about money constantly.
Finally, the day arrived. The day that had been circled on my calendar for the past 3 months.
May 18th, 2015
Sunday, June 7, 2015
Part 1: The Unthought-out Consequences of Actions
How do I start this?
...
Hello...?
Aye, no sé. Bueno. Empezer al principio.
So in February, around Valentine's Day, I went (correction, attempted to "went") to the movies with my friend and roommate Dorothy. We were going to go see The Theory of Everything with Eddie Redmayne, because... does there really need to be an explanation? It's Eddie Redmayne, a fantastically talented actor that won a Golden Globe and an Academy Award for his role in this film. Piquing our interest, we decided to brave the cold tundra of MSU campus to sit in the uncomfortable-but-free seats for the 7:10 showing of The Theory of Everything in Wells Hall.
So we left, bundled up in our coats and hats and scarfs and whatnot, only to find upon arrival that the show had been canceled. After the fact that we had walked for about 25 minutes in the arctic winds and snow, there was a little piece of paper on the desk where the popcorn and tickets were at that read, "Movies cancelled due to weather," or something al0ng those lines. Fantastic. So we ended up walking back to Holmes Hall, cold and angry at the lack of communication from UAB.
Why had they not told us that the shows were canceled previously? My boogers still thawing in my nose, I got onto my computer to check my email to see if UAB had sent an email that I missed about canceling the shows. (As it turned out, instead of posting on the UAB website, which we checked previously before leaving, they posted a notice on Twitter about the closings. 1) I don't have a Twitter. 2) Why the heck would I check my Twitter account before leaving to go to the movies?)
As I rifled through my multitude of emails and thought to myself about how I really did need to go and check it more often, I saw notices about study abroad opportunities. Now, most of the time when I saw these, I would just hit delete and be like, "Eh. Maybe later. Can't be bothered to do anything about it now." But at this time, I finally thought, "You know what, I do need to get 9 credits to fill my Spanish minor with. And this is part of my plan right now with my adviser. What the hell. Why not?" So I went to the Office of Study Abroad (OSA) page and started to search for programs. Literally, I searched "Programs in Spain," because I was super prepared and knew exactly what I wanted.
As you may guess, I got quite a few hits, since MSU is apparently pretty good at this whole "Study Abroad" thing. I had heard that the program in Valencia was popular, so I searched for that one. However, the deadline for summer program sign-up was approaching, and it was full. A bit disheartened, I kept searching, stumbling upon a program in Santander, Spain called "Spanish Language, Literature, and Culture in Santander." The program was a 2 month long study abroad in Santander, Spain, offered 9 credits, and was still open. "Hmm," I thought. "Sounds like what I want." So of course, I signed up.
3 weeks later, I got an email from the OSA saying, "Congratulations! You have been accepted to your study abroad program! Now pay us copious amounts of money and make sure you do these things. Oh, and have fun!" More or less of what it said. That's when it really hit me.
I was going to be living in Spain for 2 months this coming summer.
What have you gotten yourself into now, Sarah Adelle?
...
Hello...?
Aye, no sé. Bueno. Empezer al principio.
So in February, around Valentine's Day, I went (correction, attempted to "went") to the movies with my friend and roommate Dorothy. We were going to go see The Theory of Everything with Eddie Redmayne, because... does there really need to be an explanation? It's Eddie Redmayne, a fantastically talented actor that won a Golden Globe and an Academy Award for his role in this film. Piquing our interest, we decided to brave the cold tundra of MSU campus to sit in the uncomfortable-but-free seats for the 7:10 showing of The Theory of Everything in Wells Hall.
So we left, bundled up in our coats and hats and scarfs and whatnot, only to find upon arrival that the show had been canceled. After the fact that we had walked for about 25 minutes in the arctic winds and snow, there was a little piece of paper on the desk where the popcorn and tickets were at that read, "Movies cancelled due to weather," or something al0ng those lines. Fantastic. So we ended up walking back to Holmes Hall, cold and angry at the lack of communication from UAB.
Why had they not told us that the shows were canceled previously? My boogers still thawing in my nose, I got onto my computer to check my email to see if UAB had sent an email that I missed about canceling the shows. (As it turned out, instead of posting on the UAB website, which we checked previously before leaving, they posted a notice on Twitter about the closings. 1) I don't have a Twitter. 2) Why the heck would I check my Twitter account before leaving to go to the movies?)
As I rifled through my multitude of emails and thought to myself about how I really did need to go and check it more often, I saw notices about study abroad opportunities. Now, most of the time when I saw these, I would just hit delete and be like, "Eh. Maybe later. Can't be bothered to do anything about it now." But at this time, I finally thought, "You know what, I do need to get 9 credits to fill my Spanish minor with. And this is part of my plan right now with my adviser. What the hell. Why not?" So I went to the Office of Study Abroad (OSA) page and started to search for programs. Literally, I searched "Programs in Spain," because I was super prepared and knew exactly what I wanted.
As you may guess, I got quite a few hits, since MSU is apparently pretty good at this whole "Study Abroad" thing. I had heard that the program in Valencia was popular, so I searched for that one. However, the deadline for summer program sign-up was approaching, and it was full. A bit disheartened, I kept searching, stumbling upon a program in Santander, Spain called "Spanish Language, Literature, and Culture in Santander." The program was a 2 month long study abroad in Santander, Spain, offered 9 credits, and was still open. "Hmm," I thought. "Sounds like what I want." So of course, I signed up.
3 weeks later, I got an email from the OSA saying, "Congratulations! You have been accepted to your study abroad program! Now pay us copious amounts of money and make sure you do these things. Oh, and have fun!" More or less of what it said. That's when it really hit me.
I was going to be living in Spain for 2 months this coming summer.
What have you gotten yourself into now, Sarah Adelle?
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