Here goes nothing!

Hi all!

I am so excited to get going on this trip, on this program, with these classes, and with all of you! I just finished packing my big suitcase, and I've managed to fit everything into one so I'm pretty ecstatic on that front.

In terms of the program and my expectations and goals, I really just expect to learn a ton. I know that my speaking is... classroom speaking, so I'm really stoked to put my foot in my mouth a whole bunch of times and learn how to really communicate in a non-native language. I spent a few days in Barcelona about 18 months ago and had my longest conversation with a taxi driver (about 25 minutes in traffic) and it was pretty awesome. That kind of genuine interaction and language skills is exactly what I'm looking to achieve as my primary goals in these weeks abroad.

Beyond the acquisition of language, I'm excited to try a whole bunch of new food and embrace a culture that is different from the one that I've grown up in. One of the best parts of traveling is being able to have that personal, introspective reflection that compares and contrasts cultures, experiences, and people, and then taking that reflection and finding out more about yourself and what you like or dislike, love or hate, and what you want to see more of. That's a long-winded way of saying that I want to find some interesting differences between the United States (and Boulder) and a Spanish (Barcelona) experience.

Lastly, I know that I'm gonna make some awesome friends. I can't wait to hang out with my fellow Buffs all over the city and country, and I'll see you all very soon!