My last week in Spain and my last university classes EVER

I don't even think this is going to hit me until I finally make it back home, but I have spent 4 entire months in Spain. I just have this weekend left--5 days--and then I'm leaving Alicante forever (okay, hopefully not forever).

It's hard to believe I've been here this long, because it felt like just yesterday that I got off the plane in Valencia, exhausted and completely lost trying to find the bus station from the airport. Since that first day forward, Alicante has become my home away from home. I have really enjoyed myself and accepted my situation here, even if that meant struggling with difficult classes and (some) difficult people for 4 months. 

I am very excited to come home to see my amazing family again, and of course my wonderful best friends and for all of us to celebrate together at the annual Komblevicz Christmas Eve Bash, but it's very bittersweet to say goodbye to Spain. 

After study abroad, I have a feeling Michigan is going to seem pretty dull and I'm going to forever have an unquenchable thirst to travel. I won't even be returning to a routine of classes and work since I just graduated with the Class of 2014! (which is possibly the best Christmas present ever)

No more university, no more studying, no more exams--just cracking down and working. If I could make it through college packing my schedule to the rim with full-time classes, 30 hours per work week, a part time internship, and was able to make time for PRSSA meetings and PR Central, then I think I can handle just working. Life may not be easy past this point, but I sure know it will be less stressful. I made it! 

In this last week of reminiscing of my study abroad experience, I'm going to share a recap of some of my favorite and memorable moments of Spain, but of course this blog would be 100 pages long if I shared it all. Hopefully this inspires some people to travel! 

Taking the bus from the Valencian Airport to Alicante and seeing the mountains for the first time!

Meeting the Josés, our directors at UA. 

Visiting the beach and the Explanada for the first time.

Meeting the entire U.S. crew! 

Trying my host mom's healthy cooking 

Looking out my bedroom window and seeing the beautiful landscape 

Seeing the Festival de los Moros y los Cristianos 

Studying at the most beautiful campus 

Visiting Alcoy with my new friend Jorge 

Halloween in Barcelona! (My favorite city I visited in Spain, by the way) 

The crazy island of Ibiza. 

Madrid 

Enjoying a drink--or two...or 10--with new friends. 

To sum it all up...I absolutely loved Spain and 4 months has definitely gone by way too fast, but that will motivate me more to return again some day!

Yesterday is but today's memory, and tomorrow is today's dream.

The Madrid Experience

With every day that passes in Spain, I somehow feel like it's my first day here--and my last. It's so hard to explain the phenomenon, but I'll try.

Bustling Madrid streets

Since I am exactly at the midpoint of this study-abroad adventure, I'm coming to terms that I've experienced a lot, yet I haven't experienced anything. I've become more accustomed to the way of life here, yet I still feel like there's so much to learn. 

And of course, it's impossible to see it all, as with the case in Madrid.

Kris, another student from CMU, and myself made our journey to Madrid on October 9-12. It was four days of exploring, walking, picture-taking and aprovenchando. 

Kris and I 

If you already don't know, the city of Madrid is the number one tourist destination in Spain, and now I can see why. With incredibly designed architecture, buildings and art full of history, culture, energy and endless shopping, I can understand why people love to come here.

Although we walked for 6-10 hours every day, there was no way to see it all. However, we did spend our time wisely and we still saw some very important sights. 

1. Buen Retiro Park.

Being one of the largest parks in the city at 350 acres (and probably most beautiful), Buen Retiro was full of lush flowers, sculptures, bright green grass, fountains, and trees as far as the eye could see. What a sight! Pictures don't do it justice. 

2. Puerta del Sol

Puerta del Sol is a plaza in Madrid that was very close to our hotel. It was bustling with people, street performers and of course it had amazing statues and beautiful architecture including the well-known Casa de Correos. 

La Casa de Correos

Estatua del Oso y el Madroño

"Human statues"

3. Plaza Mayor

This plaza is located directly in the center of the city. It's a large square plaza with shops, restaurants, and of course more historical statues, including one of Felipe III of Spain. 

4. Palacio Real

Palacio Real is the official residence of the king of Spain, and it is a monster of a building. It's large, white, Baroque-style architecture is incredible to look at and impossible to capture all in one picture. 

5. Mercado de San Miguel 

This market was near Plaza Mayor and had everything from smoothies, to decadent desserts, specialty meats and fruits and veggies. We passed through it to check it out, but unfortunately didn't buy anything. 

6. Museo del Prado 

We spent quite a lot of time in the National Museum of Prado, where we saw precious artwork from Goya, Rubens, Calderon, Pedro Nunez del Valle, Velazquez and many, many more. This museum was so huge that we could have spent our entire day inside. We even got lost a few times. (Note: I technically wasn't supposed to take pictures of the artwork, so don't tell on me.)

Museo del Prado from the outside

7. Templo de Debod 

This ancient Egyptian temple was donated to Spain in 1968 as a thank you for their aid in helping save the temples of Nubia. It was amazing to see from the outside, and even more incredible when we found out we could go inside!

Last but not least, you can't forget the food!

We enjoyed churros y chocolate every morning while there, and dined at a few delicious Turkish restaurants. We also made our way into a Cuban restaurant, and had some cocktails.

Heaven.

All in all, Madrid is an incredibly beautiful city. I wish I could share the hundreds of beautiful photos I've taken of Madrid, but you'll just have to see it for yourself! Rich with history, art, natural beauty and stunning architecture, Madrid is definitely a must-see city in Spain.