Today marks exactly four weeks since I arrived in Colombia. These four weeks feel like both a lifetime and no time at all. So much has happened, and yet sometimes I still can't believe that I'm actually here, that I am actually living this dream I call my life. This past weekend was especially amazing- my family and I went to a finca in the mountains near Manizales. It was wonderful, and I felt completely at home and a part of the family. Here, I am not just an exchange student. I am a new daughter, a new cousin, a new niece, a new member of a beautiful, loving family. I cannot express enough how thankful I am for this. It has made the transition so much easier. I have so many people here supporting me and loving me for who I am. What more could I ask for?
Today was also amazing. My friend Lucie, an exchange student from Belgium who lives in Pereira, came to Santa Rosa and we got to go out for a coffee together. On exchange, it is a great experience to talk to other exchange students, because we are all going through similar changes and periods of adjustment. Being able to walk around Santa Rosa, my town, and show another person how beautiful it is really made me feel at home. This is truly where I belong, and with each day it feels more like it.
Overall, this month has had its ups and downs, as one would expect. But, I can honestly say that it has been the best month of my life. I have met so many amazing new friends, I have been welcomed into what I can now honestly call my family, and I have had the opportunity to live in the beautiful Colombia. I feel like I have grown as a person, and my Spanish is infinitely better! And to just think, this is only the beginning, and there is still so much I have yet to experience. I am unbelievably excited for each moment I will get to spend here in Colombia.
Thank you to everyone who is making this happen for me. It is such an incredible opportunity, and I am so grateful for everything. I couldn't do this without the support of both my families, my rotary clubs, and many others. For this, I thank all of you.
A spectacular rainbow I saw the other day:
