Friday, February 26, 2016

The Importance of Clothespins


The Importance of Clothespins

              Admittedly, the transition and culture shock of studying abroad is a phenomenon no one can fully convey with words.  Far greater than a simple change in language, just less than discovering a new planet.  Immediately, I became struck by just how different everything functions abroad.  Everything from adjusting to a twenty-four hour clock to the more subtle nuances in how people walk becomes strikingly apparent.  At times I find myself trying to decipher the purpose of something bizarre - intently starring at it.  My gaze destined to find something new and interesting or perhaps familiar with an unfamiliar façade. It has taken me quite some time to write about this story partially because I am still in somewhat disbelief at my own absentmindedness, partially because it has become more entertaining with time. 

Ironically, in the fog of unfamiliarity, the one thing that has given me some of the most trouble so far is completely universal.  That’s right, they look the same in Spain as they do in the United States ever since David Smith decided to put two wooden prongs together, interlocked with a spring in 1853.  In my own defense, I have always used a washer and a dryer for my apparel sanitation needs.  Comically, common sense becomes common after commonly using it. . . After accidentally setting my washer to a four hour cycle (not entirely sure why that is a necessary function) at 23:30, I resided to the fact I would need to set my alarm for the middle of the night to hang my clothes.  The alarm raided my ears at 3:30 and I awoke fatigued, not fully cognizant of my actions.  Meandering to the washing machine, my thoughts already drifted back to the comfort of my bed.  One by one I hung up each article of clothing without a single reflection on just what would keep them on the line which hung outside my third story apartment above an abandoned lot. 

The following morning I awoke to what I can only describe as the most delicate drizzle, thankfully, that I have ever experienced.  I shuffled over to the clothes line finding it barren, the now no longer vacant lot occupied by several articles of my clothing.  Disbelief. My mistake had become painfully clear to me but for a moment eyes remained fixated on the lot and my gym clothes below.

Tuesday, January 5, 2016

Vista de mi Visa

     To briefly introduce who I am for the context of my story: my name is Trent Hale, I am an International Business, Finance, GSCOM major with a Spanish minor, and I have the pleasure of studying abroad at IE University in Madrid for the Spring Semester of 2016.  Boring details out of the way, I would like to share my feelings for those who will also study abroad hoping that it may lend some insight.  Admittedly, while writing this first post, I am sitting in my house outside of Philadelphia and have little to offer of the experience of living abroad.  That being said, what I can offer is the story of my favorite Christmas gift: the first sight of my visa.  
     Like many other students planning to study abroad the second semester of their junior year, my first semester was nothing short of hectic.  Between searching for internships, juggling several difficult classes, and the various pre-departure duties there was little time to contemplate the gravity of studying across the world.  Different culture, different food, different sleep schedule -- not to mention the most challenging of them all -- a different language.  The excitement of this adventure hit me like a five year old finding out at Christmas he’s going to Disney world.  As I arrived home, I was the first to see the package from the embassy on my porch and without hesitation I opened it outside to see for myself.  I couldn’t help but to stand petrified in excitement, holding on to the moment as though I could keep it.  Though my small Christmas miracle came and went, the excitement has stayed and I eagerly await the adventures that lay ahead.

Hasta Luego!

Trent