See. Do. Live.
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!
|
