Spain – mi corazón, my heart

Five years ago this January marked a considerable turning point in my life - a time when for the first time, I left behind familiarity and predictability for uncertainty and the unknown. Leaving friends and family behind in California, I traveled 9,000 miles northeast to embark on what would be the catalyst to my global and intercultural passion. I can remember vividly landing in Barajas Airport outside of Madrid for the first time – it was eerie. Fog and mist obscured my initial views of the country, and added to the slight apprehension I felt. However, once the fog lifted and I arrived into Madrid, for the first time I saw the city to which I would spend the next six months of my life – a city to which I would later fall in love with. Tall buildings lined the hilly streets, impeccably dressed Spaniards bustled about the sidewalks, cafes and bars on every street corner, and beautiful parks graced the small open spaces in between the hustle and bustle of the town.

Characterized by a dichotomy of emotions, the initial few months in Spain bared much resemblance to a foreigner studying abroad for the first time. Enamored with everything Spanish the first month quickly morphed into annoyance with everything Spanish in the second. Once the honeymoon phase ended, and what once I passed off as a quirky charm of the Spanish culture, turned into aggravation and homesickness. Thankfully, I soon realized what an “ass” I was being, and seized this chance as the “opportunity of a lifetime.” To live in Spain, to attend school at a Spanish university, to live with Spanish roommates – it was an amazing opportunity to begin understanding, accepting and ultimately loving the Spanish culture.

From that point on, once I truly began to learn about the Spanish culture, I fell in love with Spain. It is a country of extremes in all senses, and it is a country where past, present, tradition and modernity live side-by-side in a constant battle, characterizing the many different paradoxes of the Spanish culture. It is a country where past eras of dominance and power replaced by hardship and difficult times emblazoned a permanent scar on the soul of the nation and its citizens. Now, Spain is a thriving country, in which many different autonomous regions each with their own unique culture and language add to the diversity and magnificence of this beautiful place.

I have been so fortunate as to travel around many different countries across Europe – but for me, none can compare to Spain. By no means is Spain the most beautiful country in Europe, but it certainly makes up in charm, passion and vivacity what it lacks in beauty. I love the legendary “Spanish pride” that to most is a source of much aggravation, but to me, is a resulting legacy of the past, and a part of the allure and appeal of Spain for the future. Post-graduation, I can only aspire to have my job bring me back to Spain for some time. I’d love to return, live and work in the country to which has captured my heart and soul. Until then however, viva España!!