Llanera, Spain- Once a horror, now a dream.

When you first type in the town Llanera, Spain, google maps takes you to a one road town with small, slightly abandoned looking homes scattered about the green countryside. It reminded me of the irish towns i drove through with my family acouple years ago. Llanera is 40 minutes away from the nearest town, and seems almost cut off from the rest of Spain. My immediate reaction was, "Why would they place me there? All the other students are living in BEAUTIFUL towns and i get placed in the middle of nowhere?" I had a breakdown. I wasn't even sure this family had a working shower or internet.

My dad saved the day as he typed in the area code, 33690, along with llanera and the province asturias and found quite a different picture. 30 minutes south east of the original deserted town was a small town of 100 people just 10 minutes outside the big city Oviedo. I'm not sure my exact address yet so i looked into the town of Oviedo. It is absolutely gorgeous. It is the Spanish town that I originally dreamed of (although not on the water). Here are some of the pictures I found through google:

"The countdown"

So I'm entering my last week of school and everything just feels so normal. I don't think it has totally hit me yet how much of a change this whole experience will be. Everyone always asks me how I feel and the only words I can manage are, "Excited!" because there are really no words to describe what I'm about to do. I'm mixed with so many emotions everyday. I'm happy that I have the opportunity of a lifetime and I'm so excited to learn a whole new culture. At the same time I'm sad because while I'm gone, my friends will change, and when I come back I know nothing will be the same. I'm also nervous because I'm not very good at spanish so the first few months will be so hard for me. I know that everyone says if you stick through those rough times, good times will come and that's what I have to think about for now. I see all the other exchange students writing things like, "100 more days!" but I don't see how they could be so quick to leave their whole world behind. I wish I could feel the way they do but there's something holding me back, regretting that all my friends can't experience this with me. Don't get me wrong, I'm still super excited for this trip but I just have to keep it real here.

Pre Departure Orientation

Last weekend I went to a pre departure orientation up in Dublin, Pennsylvania. I had no clue what to expect. When I walked in the community center with my parents, I realized there was not a very big crowd. Turns out only 6 other students were there. This surprised me because the orientation was mandatory and I assumed there were more people in my area going abroad. That just made me realize how almost secretive this "going abroad," thing was. Most kids at my school didn't even know it was available for sophomores. I feel like if more people knew of the possibilities there would be a greater push to study abroad.

Anyway... in short, the orientation was boring. Some of the stories the volunteers shared about experiences were amusing but the most part was things I have heard before. It definitely wasn't worth the four hours (plus two hours of driving) that I spent on it on a saturday afternoon. That being said, I did learn a lot about culture shocks and ways to be prepared. It was also nice to meet some other students going abroad and hear their fears/concerns to know I'm not alone.

First step: Accepted to AFS Spain

I was accepted to AFS Spain a couple days ago but I'm still waiting for a host family. Crazy to think that next year I won't be sitting in my room, or seeing my best friends or playing lacrosse. So many things are going to change in my life and I'm nervous! I'm so excited though.. Everyone I've talked to has said how great this whole experience is. I'm so glad my brother is going abroad to France the same time I am. Hopefully we will have some sibling weekends together or something! I'll keep you updated on the news!