Christmas

The most wonderful time of the year is here in Spain. My host family and I traveled to Salamanca to reunite with relatives for the entire Christmas vacation. The holiday is entirely different here. It's Christmas Day yet I did not wake up to an ornament-filled Christmas tree with presents nor participate in the usual traditions I have back home. The 6 of January is when the real Christmas celebration happens. It is known as King's Day. All of the family members put out their shoes, and it is believed that the three Kings ride into the city during the night and fill them with gifts. There are various parades held throughout the day, and candy is thrown in celebration. I am really looking forward to experiencing this. I never realized all of the cultural differences that exist in other countries.

My homesickness has reached its peak as I reminisce on the previous Christmases I spent in the United States. However, I have survived the last few months on my own and I am hopeful that I will continue to do so in the new year.

Madrid

After being in Seville for several weeks, I am finally venturing out to new cities. My family and I drove the five hours to Madrid to see a production of The Lion King. We left promptly in the morning to ensure that we would arrive early. After checking into the hotel, we toured many historical sites such as La Plaza Mayor, the Royal Palace, and several museums. It is remarkable how much each city has to offer. Before the show, we stopped to eat at the restaurant La Mafia. It is well known for its Italian cuisine, and I can now understand why. On the menu, there is one page dedicated entirely to the different types of pasta that the customer can choose from followed by the sauces and toppings. Each dish is prepared to the liking of the customer. My meal exceeded all of my expectations and left me ready to watch The Lion King. The arena was a much smaller scale than Broadway in New York City, but all of the seats were full as we waited patiently for it to begin. The show received many positive reviews and by the end I understood why. We all gave a standing ovation for the brilliant cast and their retelling of the story. It was a perfect end to my day in Madrid.

La Plaza Mayor

El Palacio Royal

Seville

I've done a lot of exploring since I arrived in Spain. After I met my family at the train station, we packed up the car with all of my belongings and were on our way to Tomares. It is about a 10 minute ride from the city to the small town. The streets are very narrow and busy. It is a miracle that people are able to navigate them. We pulled up to a large gated community of white houses. I went inside and was immediately greeted with kisses from a fluffy white dog named Aslan. I was given a tour of the house, and at the end I was shown to my own private bedroom. I unpacked all of my belongings and settled into my new home.

My family decided that we would spend the evening in Seville, and I am so grateful that we did. The city is unbelievably beautiful and filled with endless history. La Catedral de Sevilla, la Plaza de España, la Giralda. Agustin and Celia rambled on about the significance of every single one. The streets are lined with cafes with people chatting and enjoying tapas. There are many shops selling Spanish memorabilia. It is all so lively and welcoming.

The transportation system is entirely different. Most everyone from Tomares uses either the metro or public bus system to go to the city. Both are within walking distance from my house so they are easily accessible. I enjoy not having to rely on a parent to drive me and being independent. I have to learn the schedules and be able to find the stops on my own. I know if I ever want to meet in the city with friends or family, I can make use of the public transportation systems.

Mi Nueva Casa

La Ciudad

Arrival

It's official. I am in in Seville, Spain with my host family. I survived the orientation in New York City and the 12 hour flight to Madrid. Once I arrived, I boarded a train to Seville with several other exchange students. The days had been long and exhausting as I traveled from one location to the next so it was a relief when we made our final stop. I exited the train with my luggage in tow, and I instantly felt a rush of emotions. After several weeks of communicating via email, I was finally about to meet the family that I would be living with for the next full year. I rode the escalator to the upper floor where I was greeted by a heard of four friendly new faces.

"Hola, Bailee!"

"Que tal?"

"Como fue el viaje?"

I had studied Spanish for three years previous to this day yet I was not able to understand a single word that was spoken. I wanted to share all of my thoughts and feelings, but I was at a loss. I did not realize the severity of the language barrier until now, and I can only hope that I will learn immensely in the future.

Swiss Airline in JFK

And So It Begins

Wow, the time has officially come, and tomorrow I will head to New York City to begin my year long exchange in Spain. I have waited my entire life for this experience. It will be a challenge to leave my home in the United States behind, but I could not be more ready.

Mi Equipaje

Farewell

Today was filled with lots of tears and hugs as I said goodbye to all of my family and friends. I still have not been able to wrap my head around the fact that I will not be seeing them again for a full year. My parents spent hours baking tasty treats and filling the house with Spanish decor in preparation for the party. I opened gifts during which I cried for the first time since this process began. Up until that moment, I had shown nothing but pure excitement. Only 11 days remain until I board the plane to Spain and experience what I have been dreaming of my entire life. It is sad to say goodbye to all I've ever known, but so thrilling to think of all the new and undiscovered places the coming year has to offer.


Mis Amigas

Speedwell Picnic

I just arrived home from the Speedwell picnic at the Iron Valley Golf Course. I have been looking forward to meeting the entire AFS family and all of those who were awarded the same scholarship to study abroad. I love interacting with people who share the same passion for traveling and experiencing the world. The event was filled with chatter and smiling faces. We were all very eager to speak with past exchange students and hear about their experiences. I met a girl from Spain who is being hosted in the United States. She gave me a lot of insight on the Spanish culture and made me all the more excited to start my year abroad. I also was interviewed by a volunteer. He asked several questions on my thoughts and expectations about the upcoming year which was incredibly difficult. No words can truly explain how I currently feel. I am so beyond thankful for having been given this opportunity.

The Speedwell Family

My New Family

Finally! The long wait is over, and I have a host family. The past few months have been extremely difficult. So many other people have received information on who they are going to be living with in the upcoming year except for me. I am so relieved and grateful to have been chosen by a family. 

I currently work at Hershey Park Entertainment and Resorts as a food and beverage clerk. I had worked several long hours and was leaving to go on break. While I was off duty, I received a notification on my phone from an AFS volunteer congratulating me on receiving a host family. I immediately checked my email, and I had a message with all of the information. I was so overwhelmed with excitement and called my parents to share the news. 

I was welcomed into the Del Rio Pulido family of four. They currently reside in Tomares, a small town located right outside of Seville, Andalusia, Spain. From what I learned in school, it is in the south and known for its unbearably warm temperatures and picturesque features. My host parents' names are Agustin and Celia. They both have very successful careers. My mother is a lawyer, and my father is a pilot. They have two children; a daughter named Pilar and a son named Pedro. Pilar is a year younger and has aspirations of studying abroad like me. Pedro will be attending the University in Finland while I am there. They own a two story home with four bedrooms situated in a gated community, and I will be attending the nearby school IES Ítaca.

The email included a picture of my new family which I included below and informed me of everything I would need to know about the upcoming year. This moment seems all too surreal, and I cannot wait for this incredible adventure to begin.

Celia, Pilar, Agustín y Pedro

The Call

Today, I received the greatest news of my entire life. I awoke like I would any other day and attended school. Afterwards, my friends and I decided to get together to go to Rita's, the local Italian ice shop. It is the first day of spring, and every year we go because it is free. My parents called me while I was out questioning when I would be home, and I told them I would be soon. They usually never bother to call and trust that I will always be home at a reasonable hour, so I was on edge. Several hours later, I walked through the front door, and my mom immediately ran down the stairs. She had a telephone in her hands and said it was a volunteer with AFS. They wanted to speak with me so I took hold of the telephone.

"Hi, is this Bailee?"

"Yes, this is her."

"Hello. I have been given the great honor and privilege to call three people and inform them that they have been awarded the Speedwell Study Abroad Scholarship. You are one of them. Congratulations!"

Several months previous to this day I applied for the Speedwell Study Abroad Scholarship which offers 30 students in the central Pennsylvania area the chance to study abroad free of cost. Today, I got offered that opportunity. When I hung up the phone, tears started welling in my eyes. I was still uncertain whether or not I wanted to pursue being an exchange student, but as soon as I was awarded the scholarship, I knew that it was what I was destined to do.

The Start of Something New

My first blog post signifies the beginning of my adventure as I become an exchange student through AFS Intercultural Programs. It is a non-profit organization that offers international exchange programs in countries all over the world to help better one's understanding of other cultures. I first heard of this program from a friend of mine in school, and I immediately knew I had to get involved. Traveling the world has always been a dream of mine so I am beyond blessed to have been given the opportunity to do so during my junior year of high school. I am looking forward to sharing each and every moment with all of you!