Icanhardlycontainmyexcitement!

...because I am finally here! I've always, always wanted to travel to Spain, and the moment has finally arrived! From now until July 23rd, I'll be spending time living in Madrid (which I have to say, after only being here a day and a half, is the COOLEST city to live in)!  For now, I'm staying in a hotel with the other members of my group as we go through orientation, but starting Saturday, I'll be living with a host mom, and on Monday, the real fun begins... my Spanish internship.

Now, I've never had an internship before, let alone one in a foreign location using a strange language.  I was really nervous about it before I got here.  Trust me, if you talk the handful of people that I was around the week before I left, they can tell you just how much I was freaking out getting excited for living in a Spanish-speaking place.  The morning I went to the airport, I sat silently in the car because I couldn't wrap my head around the idea that I was about to be here.  (Ok, let's be honest... I was also silent because I barely slept the night before due to some last-minute packing... sorry for being such a boring car companion, Mom!)

Now that I'm here, though... I think I'll be fine.  Tonight, my group met up with other students (both from the U.S. and Spain) in an Irish pub (of all things!) to have a conversation night.  They're set up through my organization, EUSA, and will happen every Thursday night at a different location.  Consisting of 45 minutes of just Spanish followed by 45 minutes of just English, these nights are designed to help everyone get better at each language.  This night was good because it was the first time I truly got to talk for a good chunk of time, and anyone who knows me knows that I looove to talk.  Meaning I will have to get better and better each day at Spanish, because there's NO way I can just sit out and listen while other people talk!

As for the culture, I really think I already have and will continue to adjust very well!  The overall feel of the city is super laid-back.  And I have no problem with that at all, trust me. =)

A couple of things before I go:

1. EUSA is the organization that I'm traveling through.  They have a couple of different programs, including regular study abroad (with classes) and my program, the abroad internship.  Here's their website: http://www.eusa-edu.com/sites/europe/madrid/internships.html

2. My internship is with Club Metropolitan, a chain of swanky gyms (with spas) throughout Spain.  My location specifically is called Abascal (as it's located on Calle de Jose Abascal). What I'll be doing exactly? TBA. The description was a little vague, and according to them, I'm the first student who has ever wanted an internship with them.  I have my final confirmation interview with them on Monday, though, so I'll keep you posted about that! Their website is: http://www.clubmetropolitan.net/gimnasio/madrid/abascal

Tomorrow marks the second official day of my orientation... should be interesting! For now I'm going to say good night (even though it's only 7:00 in Kansas right now)!