Prior to Oviedo

Well here it is, my official school blog for my study abroad program to Oviedo, Spain.

As of now, I imagine Oviedo to be exactly like the photographs--beautifully cultural and historically mesmerizing. This is my first journey to Europe and I have very high hopes. But along with high hopes and excitement come the typical nerves. Questions of if my host family will like me, will I adapt to living abroad, and will I even be able to communicate with the locals and my classmates all swirl through my head, but none of that could possibly scare me away from going.

The most difficult aspect of this journey, of course, is learning to speak the language. I've been taking Spanish classes regularly since elementary school and yet I always find myself a better test taker than Spanish speaker. I truly hope that this experience allows me to jump that line, the line between what I am capable of comprehending in a classroom and what I can actually say to a local when I open my mouth.

I would not say that I have any specific fears, other than the fear of disappointing myself. I want nothing more out of this program than to come home and be able to have a conversation, 100% in Spanish, with my Peruvian relatives. But having fun exploring the natural exquisiteness of Spain is just as good too!

I suppose that is all I have to say for now. I'll be back with more starting May 25th--my first day of school at the University of Oviedo.