Adiós, inseguridades

So there we were, high in the beautifully scenic mountains of Spain, huddled in a pack, trying to nominate the unlucky member of our group who would walk up to the nearest Spanish local and ask him to take a picture of us. Out of our group of seven girls, one brave...

Pre-Departure

Hi my name is Marissa, and I chose to study abroad because I discovered this great opportunity through a close friend. It seemed a bit risky at first because of the expense of Study Abroad programs, but PACT helped cover a large portion of costs, and then I was lucky...

Pax Europaea, in time

There is a popular saying among parents: “If your friend jumps off a bridge, would you jump, too?” My parents found out very early on that I was always the friend that jumped first. In the small, blue-collar community outside of New Orleans where I grew up in, there...

Not Ready to Leave Madrid

It is the last week of June, which sadly means my time in Madrid is coming to an end. As the date of my return flight gets closer and closer the more I realize I don’t want to get on the plane. Madrid has finally begun to feel like home away from home and I have...

Ciao Italy!

So, I have been back in sweet home Alabama for a few weeks now, and honestly it does not feel so sweet.  Living in Italy for a month was such an amazing experience; it was really eye opening to see how other people live their lives.  I lived in the heart of Florence...

Back Home At Last

After a beautiful month in Italy, I am finally back home in the grand ole USA! And it is good to be back to the comforts of home: air conditioning, having my car, and cheap fast food. I didn’t expect to experience any sort of reverse culture shock since I’ve been to...

Embrace It

During a free day in our program, a friend and I decided to take a day trip to a site our teacher had recommended– crystal clear natural, spring-fed pools nestled in the Spanish mountains. The destination sounded spectacular and the trip there was free with our...

Coming Home from Greece

It was hard for me to describe my study abroad experience to anyone who asked when I returned home. I would show them the pictures and tell them about the course I took, but nothing really captures how amazing it really was. People that have traveled to Greece...

Back Home, Now What?

I’ve been back in the states (Tuscaloosa, actually) for about a week now, and honestly, it’s a little strange. In Madrid, life was hectic and busy with a new adventure around every corner. Here, summer slowly floats along in a sleepy college town. I keep...

Back in the States

I have mixed emotions about being back in the States. When I first landed in Atlanta, it was strange speaking in English. I felt like I was going to get in trouble for not speaking Spanish! I have recently been catching myself speaking “Spain-glish,” when...

Week 2

Our group event for Tuesday consisted of a tour of a vineyard in Chianti, about a 40 minute bus ride from Florence. Never have I gotten car sick in my life, but going through half the drive on bumpy, dirt roads and facing the opposite direction really took a toll on...