Lost and Found: Home Away from Home

After a four busy days in Madrid, we said farewell to our friends going to different program sites and headed towards Alicante. It was a glorious five hour bus ride, through which we slept the entire way (proving just how well we meshed with the Spanish nightlife).

Knowing we would have an even larger adjustment in Alicante, the program staff had a meeting with us in Madrid to learn more about our host families/apartments, and where exactly we would be living for the next four months. My incredibly sweet host mom, Amparo, greeted me as soon as I got off the bus and we went to my new “home.” There I met my 16 year old host brother, Abel, and the two of them showed me around the house, then left me to unpack my things while almuerzo was being prepared.

I wanted to quit. Then and there. Turn right back around and go home. Twenty minutes was enough, right? Luckily, all of the students in my program had made plans to meet after lunch. As our program director said, “You have 66 new friends right here. Nobody knows you like they do.” So, we walked to the beach (because we can do that here) and convinced each other to stay. The next day we toured Alicante together, and the day after that, we hiked El Castillo de Santa Barbara.

Now, several days in, things are better. Realllly different, but better.