As my time studying abroad wraps up, I can’t help but think about the places I’ve been — and the places I still want to see.
Even though I’ve spent four months in Spain, the reality is I didn’t visit all the places I thought I would.
Before I left, I thought I would be able to travel all of Spain, as far north as the Basque Country and as far south as Malaga. I imagined I would be able to see more of eastern and northern Europe, from Budapest and Vienna to Stockholm and Copenhagen.
But the truth is, it’s impossible to do that and still be present in Madrid. It’s also financially impossible.
I have no regrets; I have loved every minute I’ve spent in Madrid. But even if I stayed for another few months, I still feel like there’s much left to explore
Travel never quite feels like enough because it doesn’t stifle curiosity; it expands it. Once you start traveling, you gain the momentum to keep going — and the more places I’ve visited, the more I’ve wanted to see.
One of the hardest things to process is the fact this experience is ending. Since I was a kid, I have always wanted to study abroad. Now that I’ve finally done it, it’s hard to imagine when I might have an experience like this again.
As the end of my trip draws near, the reality of my summer has started to poke through. I’m incredibly lucky to have a summer internship, but my daily routine will be drastically different from the last 16 weeks. In Spain, I’ve enjoyed a more relaxed culture, savoring long meals and leisurely walks. I’ve adapted well to the slow-paced European lifestyle.
But in a few weeks, I will wake up at sunrise to commute to an office every day for work. I will come home and spend most of my summer within the same 20-mile radius.
Knowing this experience is almost over has disrupted my ability to stay present in Madrid. Every time I find myself thinking about what waits for me when I return home, I ground myself with the reminder that I still have time left here.
Time to savor every last bit.
Contact Shaine Davison at sdavison@alligator.org. Follow her travels on Instagram @shaine_in_spain
Shaine Davison is a junior majoring in journalism and minoring in environmental science. She has previously served as the editor of the enterprise desk and reporter for university and sports desks. This semester, she will be studying abroad in Madrid, Spain.
