What to Know if You’re Studying Abroad in Granada: My Goodbye Blog

 

Today I packed up my room. Today I walked down Calle San Anton and Recogidas and Puentezuelas for the last time.  Today I said goodbye to the city that’s become my home.

I’ve been reflecting back on how much of a whirlwind this semester really was.  I’ve seen so much, I’ve done so much, and most importantly, I’ve learned so much.  I’ve learned so much about myself and who I want to be and how I can handle situations on my own and in foreign countries and without being able to speak the native language, and those are skills you can only acquire by traveling for an extended period of time.

That being said, I want to share these things I’ve learned with people who are not only going to study in Granada, but visit Granada in general.  I think these are all some pretty good tips for someone planning on visiting the city that was voted the most beautiful in Spain (according to an ambiguous Facebook source, of course).

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3 Weeks Left in Granada?!

SOS. I have 3 weeks left in Granada. THREE WEEKS.  Where did the time go?  I swear I just got on the plane to come here like, yesterday? And now December is right around the corner, the semester is almost over, and somehow, I am coming to the end of this study abroad adventure.

Bohemia Jazz Café

Last week marked the end of my intensive Spanish program and also the completion of my first month living Spain!

7 Things

This week I’ve compiled a list of 7 things that have made me happy or brought me joy in some way-

The Homesick Blues

This week was hard, I’m not even going to lie.  Granada is as beautiful as ever, I’m learning more and more every day, but that doesn’t mean every day is going to be the best day ever.

Up until this week, I hadn’t really spent a lot of time pining over home or missing anything in particular. But, while we all have bad days and bad weeks, the best way to get over it is to create a positive mindset.

In all honesty, I am still in my funk and I hope writing this gets me out of it, but I’ll let you know!

Spending Sunday in the Oldest District in Granada

On Sundays in Granada, nearly everything shuts down.  It’s the day off for small shop owners, and there’s a law dictating that big businesses close as well to preserve the small shop industry within the city.  That left us with a day off, no plans, and not a lot of options.

Sitting around felt like a waste of a day when I think about the fact that I fly home in 97 days, so my friends and I decided to spend our afternoon walking through the Albaicín, the old Moorish district in Granada.  And boy, am I glad we did.

A Day at the Alhambra

 

I didn’t think I could possibly love Spain anymore.  Every morning I walk out my door surrounded by the most amazing architecture.  I go to school in buildings that are centuries old and I’m surrounded by gelato on every street corner. EVERY. CORNER.  Life can’t get any better.

Or so I thought.

This morning my group and I toured the famous Alhambra, which is a mere 10 minute walk away from my residencia. TEN MINUTES. I live ten minutes away from the oldest monument in Spain and that blows my mind.