As promised, this is my blog for my semester abroad. I will be studying abroad in Madrid, Spain this semester rather than my usual Boston stomping grounds. I will be living with a host family and study at one of Madrid's most prestigious colleges, El Instituto Internacional. I will be taking three courses while maintaining an internship at a tourism office, called SOTUR : Sociedad de Promocion del Turismo de Castilla y Leon, in the center of Spain.
Rather than having to recall every enjoyable moment of my semester abroad when I return to Boston next May, I figured I would start this blog so my family and friends could read about my adventures as I experience them. By doing this, I can make sure I accurately describe and give proper attention to all these future events and each of you can get the full inside scoop! I promise to update regularly and to include photos
*You have been warned! There will be lots of photos of churches and ....FOOD!*
My plane takes off at 6:30 p.m. from Logan Airport, Boston on January 13th and arrives in Barajas Airport, Madrid at 7:20 a.m. on January 14th.
My flight home departs from Barajas, Madrid at 1:40 p.m. on May 14th and arrives in Logan Airport, Boston at 3:35 p.m. on May 14th.
Other notes to mention:
- Madrid is 6 hours ahead of Boston time
- I will have a cell phone, but I will be using it sparingly. Skype will be my main means of
communication to people back in the states.
- Skype accounts are free and very user friendly! I received a webcam from Santa so I will
be able to video chat with everyone (if you don't have a camera, you can still see me I
just can't see you).
- Facebook chat will also work, but my computer often struggles keeping a constant
connection with Facebook's chat system.
- I don't know if my host family will have internet in the house, but I will have internet
availability in cafes and in centers at the Instituto
- I will be maintaining three courses and my internship throughout the entire duration of
my abroad experience (in comparison to other BU abroad programs).
- My internship will fulfill certain requirements towards my Hospitality degree in SHA, while my three classes will complete my minor in Spanish language and literature.
- I plan on traveling so any recommendations are warmly welcomed! On my list already are
: Seville, Toledo, Barcelona, Dublin, London (or Wales), Paris, and ...PRAGUE!
Only 17 days until I leave! Until then I hope everyone has a wonderful New Years!
Hey!!!
ReplyDeleteI hear you're at the airport already and you leave at 6:30! Don't expect a comfortable flight it's rather hard to sleep on the plane unfortunately... it also depends where you're sitting. Well have a great trip over we all want to hear from you when you are all settled in! You are already missed :p ttys sis!
Lots of Love,
Janelle
Well we just dropped you at the airport and you will be departing in 25 minutes. It was very hard...harder than Dad and I expected. We will feel better once we hear from you. Hope your flight went well...we love you!
ReplyDeleteTori,
ReplyDeleteBest wishes for an enjoyable & successful study abroad. Looking forward to all the pictures from Spain! Enjoy, Jim, Suzanne, Cassie ( & Matt & Mike).
Tori what happened to the post you made before you left? It's not out here.
ReplyDeletehey dad! when you comment on this one, because i did it in decemeber, my blogs for 2009 appear and my 2010 ones disappear...its there just click on january on the right hand side.
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ReplyDeleteJimCip
ReplyDeleteGlad to see you arrived o.k. Sounds like looong trip.I don't miss hanging in airports & being on planes every week:~ Been there done that-know how you feel! What did we ever do before cell phones and the internet :-) Funny how we have come to rely on those. But you found a connection- how resourceful!
Hope you get settled in soon. Take care, Jim & Suzanne
Glad to hear you made it safely. The adventure begins!! Glad there is computer access, don't know how we got along without it. Have fun and be safe!
ReplyDeleteMarge, Gerry and Megan
Hey let me know if you hit up Dublin!
ReplyDeleteHey Tori,
ReplyDeleteGram's new email will be: pbredhead59@gmail.com. Will be set up later this week. Showed her how to get to your blog.
Hi Tori, Thank you for your card. Glad to see that you are having a great time in Spain. The pictures on your blog are awesome!! They bring back old, but fond, memories. You MUST go to Granada! What ever it takes it's a must to see the Alhambra. The Moors knew how to live. Try also to be in Seville for Easter to see the procession of the penitents, straight from the Middle Ages and the Inquisition (not a good time to be in Spain). Love Jack and John
ReplyDeleteSo you've been gone over a month and it took me that long to figure out this darn blog! I love the pics and stories but I think you will love them even more after the fact when you look back. I miss you and hope you are loving every minute! Love Sarah
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