The final week was the hardest week. During this time I spent most of my time working on my research papers and presentations that went along with them. I would make time every single day for an ice cream break. That Sunday I also saw my very first bull fight. It was a lot different from what I excepted. In my opinion it was not even a fight. In this fight there was one bullfighter and six different bulls. At the beginning they run around until a horse is brought out, which they attack, and are stabbed for. In the next event the bullfighter tries to jab two poles in the bull, three different times. Lastly the bull and bullfighter go around and around until a final sword is shoved through the back of the bull and it dies.  On Tuesday we visited Truijo and saw a bunch of beautiful sites, my favorite was the castle because of the walls they had and how we could walk on them. On Wednesday the entire group got to teach groups of Spanish students about things in the United States. I found this activity very interesting. We got to see were other students were in their journey of learning English and hopefully teach them some things they did not already know. On this day we had our final goodbye dinner with the entire group. We got to eat at a place I had been wanting to try and see our professors outside of the school setting. We ate a lot of food and afterwards explored the city of Cárceres one last time.

It finally came... the day everyone has been dreading. It's time to pack up our clothes and leave our temporary homes!This day has came so fast it's hard to even pin point certain activities  we accomplished because they all seem like yesterday! Our last group trip was to Trujillo which was absolutely beautiful! Reality kicked in when coming home from there because that was the our last group activity and the  we all have different plans after the program! Some of us our staying in Europe and traveling while the others are going back to the states. It wasn't just the places I visited and the sights that I saw that made my trip a once in a life time experience but the group had a great impact as well! Each and every person contributed their own uniqueness to our group and made every moment something to remember! From our own planned trip to Portugal to the nights we spent at the fair in Caceres there was never a dull moment! I came into the program having classmates but I left the program with some more spanish skills... Of course but also amazing friends who got to experience this unforgettable trip! I was also lucky with how awesome my host parents were too they were so understanding with everything and were willing to help me with any problem I had! In all I can't wait to share with students on how they can't pass this learning experience up because not only is it fun but I've never learned more spanish in my life!

Tours, studying, and quality time with friends have filled my last three weeks in Spain! This week the fair was held in Caceres and it was something I have never experienced before! Starting from the rides all the way to the fiestas there was never a dull moment. Music played from every direction, lights illuminating the sky overhead , and smiles across everyone's face! When I first arrived in Caceres as I said in the previous blogs my Spanish was non existent but as I noticed day by day my ear for more phrases and words was expanding! This is because not only was I listening to spanish in the household I was staying in but every step I took I was guaranteed to be immersed in the spanish language. We went three days to the fair and to say at the very least if was amazing! I can not believe that in one day it will be my final week here.  I'm sad for it to end but I'm excited with what each day will bring! 

Approaching my second week in Spain was to say at the very least incredible! I could not believe how fast time could be. Everyday felt like only hours had passed by. During this week we had accomplished so much including taking an overnight trip to Sevilla. When arriving there we hit the ground running with breathtaking views at the top of a bell tower to entering a vacation home for centuries of passed royalty! Before retreating back to our hotel that night we had the privilege of attending a Flamenco show! Even though I've never been so tired before the parts I did see were something I always will remember! The next morning we woke up had a huge breakfast and started another day that will always be reminisced upon. A lot of my friends decided to go on a boat tour but I was not feeling it so me and two others decided to take another route and invest our time in an experience not worth passing up. We took a three hour electric bike tour throughout Sevilla! The views seen that day had to be experienced in person to truly appreciate the beauty! When everyone was done with their tours we all met at the hotel went to eat and headed back to Caceres. For the remainder of the week we explored Caceres and spent more time with our host families. I learned a great deal of knowledge about my family and what they do for a living. From the first week to this week I saw how much vocabulary I had gained. Even though I still am completely petrified when someone talks to me I can pick out words that I understand and respond back with at least some sort of response. So far I am completely in love with España!

  Culture shock was a word that I knew the definition to but never truly had experienced until this summer. When I got off the bus in Caceres immediately I went into panic mode. My friends were finding their families and introducing themselves but the new part to this was it was all in Spanish! Of course I knew it would be this way but I guess reality caught up to me. I felt lost and knew this was going to be the biggest experience I've ever had in my life. When I finally found my family the conversation consisted of me breaking the news to them my Spanish speaking skills are very minimal! Dinner that night was intense but I made it through without breaking down. I just felt so bad that I couldn't say anything to them that had substance! They were very understanding and went out of their way to make sure I was settled in okay. As the days proceed though I feel my Spanish vocabulary is building into a longer list and becoming more complex. This weekend my friends and I took advantage of being so close to Portugal and decided to take a small adventure there. Portugal is beautiful and Spain is just breath taking! So far my week here has made me realize that being immersed in a new culture is the best way to learn a new language! I can't wait to see my improvements by the end of this trip!