I could tell you that this past semester was life changing and that I have become a new person. But, it wasn’t and I haven’t.

Gasp.

Oh, restrain yourselves already, there’s a flip side. Of course there’s a flip side.

These past three months were EYE-OPENING rather than life changing. I’m still the same old me; same stubbornness, same sense of humor, same you name it. However, I have gained invaluable things. I have a broader perspective of the world (yeah blah, choke that down). I have a better grasp of who I am as a person. And I now have a helluva a lot of streets smarts (kinda hard not to when you live in a city of 13 million people).

Studying abroad is a learning experience. Not book learning, (well, a bit of book learning) but about people, culture, the world and yourself. My greatest accomplishment of this experience was not changing myself, but rather discovering and learning more about myself. I am independent. I have an insatiable need to immerse myself in other cultures. I like adventure (you probably learned that about me, too).

I know I can’t make you study abroad, but let me say one thing...you will have the time of your life if you do. I guarantee. Honestly, if this year turns out to be the sole highlight of my life, I would be A-OK with that. I went whale watching in Patagonia. I waddled with penguins. I skied in the Andes. I rappelled down a waterfall. I jumped out of an effing plane. Wait, I did what? Hahaa oh yeah, I did.

Studying abroad allows you to see, do and live. Accordingly, I did more things, saw more places and lived like there was no tomorrow. I think it’s safe to declare my first semester abroad a success!

I wish I could bottle Argentina and send it to you all. Eight episodes were certainly not enough to capture the diverse and simply amazing country that it is. There is no equal. I guarantee. I am glad that I can rest assured, knowing that I have another semester In Buenos Aires. I have a whole three more months to live it up! ‘Cause well, after that it’s back to the daily grind in The ‘Bu (oh who am I kidding, Malibu rocks). On the itinerary for second semester, I’ve got spring break in Brazil, a trip to Chile, and a trip to Argentina’s wine country, Mendoza lined up. Oh, buuuuuuut first I have a month-long backpacking trip! A few friends and I are starting off in Ecuador, then trekking up to Machu Picchu in Peru, and then going wherever the wind takes us. The one stipulation: make it to Buenos Aires before February 5th (when classes start).

Although this is the end of my JYA run, is it definitely just the beginning for me.

There are two things I have left to do: give you my thanks for logging on to the site, and say goodbye. I will say thank you because your viewership and readership is what drives JYA. Thank you immensely for that. I won’t say goodbye though. I hate goodbyes. How about a nice “See you later”? Sounds good to me.

See you later,
Stacey

P.S. Really, you can see me later. Follow the rest of my journey on my second semester personal travel diary at www.getjealous.com/staclg86. I like to call it JYA Unplugged.

P.S.S. Virtual pat on the back to my fellow JYA cast members and the whole JYA team. The goal was to show the world, well…the world through study abroad eyes. Mission accomplished.

P.S.S. Holler!

Posted by Stacey at 08:53 AM | Permalink | TrackBacks (0)

So here is my belated blog about Panama. I apologize I've been kinda lazy since I've been home. And “kinda” is an understatement.

Like I said in my previous blog, my two friends and I had a 12-hour layover in Panama. Yes, I know, that’s half a day but we planned it that way because we wanted ample time to go adventuring. And c’mon now, you know I love me some adventure.

Our main goal of our 12-hour Panamanian adventure was to obviously see the canal. Although, we had doubts because we of the many nay-sayers back in BA. “The canal is too far from the airport” they said, “you’ll never be able to do that in 12 hours”.

Oh, did we prove them wrong.

We touched down in Panama around 8am on Thursday morning. All rested up from our 8-hour flight we headed directly to immigration (yay passport stamp!) and customs. There, the people told us that before they let us into the country we needed get tourist cards available for purchase for 5 American dollars (cash only) at a different desk. Great. Like we would have 5 USD after three months in Argentina. The workers directed us to an ATM upstairs, so up we went. Airport information upstairs then said the ATM was downstairs so, frustrated, we went back to the immigration desk and told them our ATM location woes. Quickly the nice Panamanian immigration lady stamped our passports sans tourist card!

..and that’s how I got into Panama semi-illegally.

After that whole ordeal, we went to the tourism desk to find out our options in getting to the canal. One tour fit us perfectly, we would be able to see the old city, the new city, the canal….it was like the stars were aligned! Okay, I’m lying. The company works in conjunction with our airline so that in-transit passengers can tour Panama while waiting for their transfer flight. It’s still cool though.

Confession…I thought Panama would be kinda…eh, how do I put this...Okay, I just wasn’t expecting it to be as nice as it was. Sorry, Panama! I’m bowing my head in shame. But, seriously wow! Panama is nice! From the high-rise towers (one of them being a Trump hotel), to the historic Ciudad Vieja, to the clean blue waters, I like Panama!

Due to its one time status as an American territory, Panama is very Americanized. Pizza Hut, Quizno’s, Wendy’s, the numerous BMW’s I saw….it was like a little America hidden between Costa Rica and Colombia. Some may see that as a good thing, others may see that as a bad thing. All I know is that it was a nice transition time for me before I made my first “appearance” in America in three months.

As you can tell, my 12-hour Panama adventure was successful! Now I can say I visited South America, Central America and North America all within 2 days!

Posted by Stacey at 03:18 AM | Permalink | TrackBacks (0)

After about 2 days of traveling, I have my way back to the States. Let me just recount my journey for you....

8 hour flight from Buenos Aires to Panama
12 hour layover in Panama (we planned it that way so we could see the city and the canal)
7 hour flight from Panama to Los Angeles
7 hour layover in Los Angeles (nope, didn't plan that one)
3 hour flight from Los Angeles to Portland
------------------------------------
= WOWZA. 37 hours of travel.

I slept about 13 hours last night, but that's definitely not enough. I was planning to write about my adventure in Panama, but I'm too tired. I'll get back to you after I nap.

Posted by Stacey at 09:03 PM | Permalink | TrackBacks (0)