shareefahayat

01.09.2022

Tomorrow is the day I move to Spain and change my life forever. Dramatic? Maybe. As many of you know I will be spending the next five months abroad. Living modestly in a shabby European apartment, spending mornings sipping espresso and afternoons enjoying tapas has been a dream of mine for a very long time. This dream finally begins tomorrow; however it has been anything but easy. 

Austin. Until 12.29.21

The journey begins with my last few days in Austin, Texas. As the days inch closer to my departure my anxiety kicks in. Imagining Europe as a distant dream is romantic, but the startling realization that you are moving to a new and unknown land where you know nothing and no one is intimidating. Yes, I was scared, but I’ve been wanting to get away from everything for a long time. I craved a clean slate. I wanted nothing more than to reinvent myself. I wanted to go to a place where I could be whoever I wanted without an explanation. Part of my departure meant leaving everything that was tying me down behind; that part was really really hard, yet it was necessary to have the space I needed to become the person of my choosing. To say the least, the last few days in Austin were dramatic, intense, liberating, magical even. I left the city on a good note. Everything was running smoothly until I missed my bus to Dallas (where my flight was taking off). I ended up paying a little over $100 to Hitch there. 

Dallas. 12.29.21- 12.30.21

Once I got to the airport around 11:00PM CST I had to wait until 7:00 AM CST to catch my flight to New York. Yes. I had to wait eight hours and unfortunately I cannot say that it was my first time doing that. Finally, after a long night of guarding my luggage, 20 minute power naps, and 37 levels of WordScapes I was off to New York City for a 3 day girls trip. 

New York City. 12.30.21- 1.2.22

This city will have a place in my heart forever. It felt so right to be back. I stepped out of Penn Station and had to stop to take it in. The sound of traffic, the drifting smell of garbage, the sight of people rushing, it all makes you feel invisible in the best way. Suddenly anything was possible again. I met up with my girlfriend and the shinanagas began. New Year’s weekend was a nonstop cycle of clubs, parties, food, bouncers, outfits, brunches, and sight seeing. I could not have thought of a better way to jumpstart the new year. The trip ended with some old friends and good talks. As everything came to a close I made my way back to the Newark airport and was met with a three hour delay. You guessed it, I missed my connecting flight to Germany.

Madrid (airport). 1.2.22 – 1.5.22

I was stranded and absolutely no one in the entire airport could help me. I am pretty resourceful in these situations, but I was at an utter loss. The information desk told me there was nothing they could do and I was on my own. Luckily I was able to get in contact with my father who lives in London. He ended up helping me get a hotel in the area until I could get everything figured out. The apartment I signed for in Madrid would not be ready until the 10th, which was about 5 days away so I had no choice but to fly to London and stay with my father until then. 

London. 1.5.22- 1.10.22

I can say, without a doubt, the city during this time of year is dreadful. I made the most of it. I had the opportunity to visit the city, try some new foods, and most importantly reconnect with family I never had the chance of knowing. Dear London, I will be back to give you a second chance when you are not so damn cold. Just a few days later my time in the city was over and I was finally on the way to Madrid where I could officially start my semester abroad. 

Madrid the city. 1.11.22

I finally made it to my apartment Jan 11th. I was so relieved. Fast forward a little over a week and we meet at the present. Madrid has been a movie. They party all day. All night. I went out five nights in a row when I got here and after the first week of classes I went out a few more times thereafter. I will say that I have noticed two party cultures. On one hand we have Spanish clubs with Spanish people, these clubs exclusively play reggaeton. On the other hand there are clubs like Icon that draw in a huge international crowd. From international students to daring young people who decided to come to the city and start over. Here you’ll be able to communicate in english, have a good time, and listen to a more diverse music selection. It’s a little over 10 days in and I can say Madrid is one charming city. The history, architecture, people, weather, food, fashion, and nightlife are coming together to make an unforgettable trip.

Closing

I portray myself as a fearless vagabond when in actuality I’m scared shitless, yet it’s that fear of the unknown that makes me feel human. It’s when I’m living outside of my comfort zone that I feel I’m in the present. Being here in Spain with these foreign people speaking this foreign language has been a breath of fresh air because for the first time I’m not supposed to have it all figured out. I can be clueless and that is okay. The only thing that is expected of me is to have an open mind and be willing to learn. With that, I want to raise a toast to all the students that were bold enough to go abroad where they knew nothing and no one; here’s to those willing to get outside of their comfort zone and change their lives forever!