Alyssa Voight- Blog Abroad
Blog #1
Moving 5,426 miles away from home to study for a whole year in Spain seemed entirely impossible. Being accepted into a highly competitive study abroad program also seemed impossible. I applied with little hope that I would be accepted into the first school of my choice. But the “impossible” became possible. The day I received my acceptance into the study abroad program I felt like the world was at the tip of my fingers, and I could almost grab it into the palm of my hand. I was chasing a dream I have had since I was 12. I knew I had to live it out. I knew I had to make it a reality. So, I went forth with all the difficult paperwork to obtain a visa, I worked the whole summer to save money, and before I knew it I was packing my bags to study for a year in Madrid, Spain.
Officially, I have been living in Spain for one month. Within one month my life has entirely changed. But what else would you expect from moving across the world and leaving the comfort of everything you have ever known?
The journey to get here was not as magical as I had planned it to be. It was the most nerve-racking summer of my life having to wait for my visa, which arrived three days before I left. I had submitted all my documents three months prior, but the company lost some documents and I had to resend them. Smooth sailing was not an option this summer. But, alas, it arrived and I did not have to reschedule my flights. Also, I advise anyone traveling 24 hours on a plane to not get a sinus infection before leaving. The easiest part about leaving was just having to sleep on the long flight. And as soon as I landed in Madrid all the hardship was worth it. I made it.
The excitement of being in a place I had only seen in pictures was overrun by pure exhaustion. Nothing a bit of medicine couldn’t fix (okay, a LOT of medicine). Thankfully, I had my mom with me for a week in Madrid to help me settle into the city. Although I was sick, I managed to drag my body around the city and show my mom the places I planned for us. Together we saw the Royal Palace of Madrid, Retiro Park, Plaza Mayor, and other beautiful places that I took too many pictures of. On one of our nights in the city, we had dinner at a rooftop bar. We sat silently and in awe at the sight in front of us. We were looking over all of Madrid, with the sun setting behind the Royal Palace. So much time, money, and work were put in by my mom and myself to get us to that point. We looked over at each other and shed a few tears. My mom, who is in her 50s, told me she never thought she would see this part of the world. Her dreams of traveling were overshadowed by working and creating a family. But there she was on this rooftop in Spain because I decided to take a chance to study abroad. And there I was with her, because of her. Where I am would not be possible without her.
The week with my mom was over too soon and we had to say our goodbyes. She told me to be strong and I told her to be stronger. After all, she left her only baby girl across the world. I reassured her that I would be alright. She kissed me goodbye and soon the excitement of my new life stirred wild in my stomach. While my mom was with me, we found an apartment next to campus. Unlike other students I have met I do not live in the city center. However, my rent is cheaper, and I am content taking a train ride into the city when I want to do something fun. Every time I want to go out I take a train for 30 minutes and I am then in the heart of Madrid. The tricky part is making sure you don't miss the last train home. I already had to pay for one too many Ubers or get lost trying to find the correct night bus. It is all a part of the adventure, especially with new friends!
Nonetheless, I am happy. It did feel weird not going back to UNM this year. Major FOMO has hit me. I miss many things from UNM that I didn’t expect to miss. My freshman year was great, and I created a life that had to be left behind once the spring semester ended. Part of me wishes I could freeze time at UNM, so I can resume life there when I return without missing out on anything. But life goes on and I have no regrets about studying in Spain. I make the most out of every day and remind myself I am accomplishing a goal I have had since I was a kid. Eating lots of churros also helps ease any melancholy thoughts.
The weeks after moving in have been filled with so much exploring and meeting so many new people. If you are a social butterfly, the Universidad Carlos III de Madrid is for you. The school is full of international students who are eager to meet someone from an interesting place. I have already befriended a Spaniard, a German, and some Slovakian girls. I would go on about the people I have met, the food I have eaten, and the art I have seen, but I will save that for next time. Right now, I just want to sit with the fact that I made it to Spain. Some days it feels all too surreal. It’s all happening. I am living in a reality I have created.
