This could possibly be my last blog post to describe my PIRE experience. I have a lot of mixed emotions about getting ready to leave on Sunday. First, the past 8 weeks absolutely flew by, but if I really think about it I have made so many memories and met so many amazing people from all over the world. That was probably my favorite part. I loved hearing other people’s stories and learning more about their background and cultures. I loved interacting with my participants, getting to know what they like to do in their free time and what they’re studying at the University. It was so great being in an environment where I could speak Spanish all the time and also switch between the two languages.
This week, we gave presentations about our projects to the lab group, and it went really well. I was able to do mine in Spanish and explain most of the technical concepts with little difficulty. I also received some great feedback and ideas to think about for future research.
This past weekend I went to Madrid and it was so great seeing my host family! They are hosting another student through the same study abroad program I did last year and it was great meeting her and hearing about her experiences in Madrid as well. I got to go back to some of my favorite sites and spending time with my favorite little children! When we were spending time with the family, we would speak in Spanish to each other. However, when it was just us we would speak in English mostly, but sometimes in Spanish too. I think I’ll really miss speaking in Spanish all the time, and I hope I can maintain the skills and improvements I have made to my Spanish speaking when I return to the States.
I hate thinking about this week as a “last” time for everything, and I’m really just trying to soak it all in while I can. I would like to give a special shout out/acknowledgement to the other 3 Penn State undergrads who I’ve come to know and love over the past 8 weeks. We have all said that we probably wouldn’t have ever been friends if we weren’t put on this trip together, and that has made our relationship that much more unique. Together we have had so many laughs and it was really great to have them by my side.
Although I feel ready to return to the States and start the second part of my summer with my family as a “Special Events Coordinator” at the mountain house community we live in for the summer, there are so many things I will miss about Granada. I have so enjoyed being a part of this culture and this city for the past 8 weeks, having favorite restaurants and neighborhoods, and small things like that.
I don’t think I can fully express how grateful I am for this experience, the people who made it possible, and all the lessons I learned. I am especially grateful to my advisers and the coordinators of this trip, Dr. Teresa Bajo’s lab, and the CLS community for their constant support and encouragement.