Good Times, Hard Times

It's been over two months now since I arrived in Colombia. So much has happened in so little time, and I have learned so much, too! About a week ago I dreamt in Spanish, something I consider to be a big accomplishment in language learning, so I am proud.

Last week I got really sick, and thus had a lot of down time to think about, well, everything. First of all, being sick without your mom in a foreign country is a really hard experience. Secondly, I realized something- while exchange may be "the best year of your life," as everyone claims, it is also one of the most difficult years of your life. Living in a foreign country without your family as a kid is not easy. Sure, it is an amazing, sometimes even glamorous experience, but with all that comes a mental toll. Everything here is uncomfortable for me, and even as I get used to things, it's still difficult sometimes. Exchange isn't a break, and it isn't a year away from reality. Exchange is very much real life, with real life difficulties and problems. But without these difficulties, I don't think exchange would be the life changing experience that it is. The hard times are what make a person grow, and so I am incredibly grateful to have these challenges. My comfort zone is ever expanding and I am learning to be an independent global citizen. Of course it's hard- no one said it wouldn't be. I'm glad it's hard, because it's turning me into better, more mature person. The hard times are what show you what you can really handle, and exchange has shown me that I am stronger than I thought. So, here's to the hard times, the times when I feel homesick, sad, or just not my best. These are the times that remind me I'm still human, and that's okay. And through it all, I am ever grateful for this opportunity and all the wonderful people supporting me- Thank you.

A view from a city street in Manizales, where I spent the weekend with my host sister: