May 2024 – Study Abroad

Adiós España!

May 16, 2024/in Madrid Spring 2024-Hoffe

Wow, this semester abroad is finally coming to a close. I feel so blessed to have had this experience. Madrid has really become my home 🙂 As I reflect on my time here, there are things I will miss, things I am proud of, things I would do differently, many things I am grateful for, and most of all, so many different ways that I have seen God’s hand in this experience.

I feel incredibly blessed to have been immersed in the rich and vibrant Spanish culture during my time in Madrid. Every day was a new adventure, from savoring traditional dishes like paella to engaging in meaningful conversations with locals such as my roommates. This immersive experience allowed me to deeply understand and appreciate the nuances of Spanish life, from its historical traditions to its contemporary expressions. Studying here has been amazing, broadening my perspective and advancing my language skills beyond what I imagined. I am truly grateful for the unforgettable experiences and the invaluable knowledge I’ve gained from this beautiful country.

Beyond the beautiful experiences I have gained, I would approach a few things differently if given another chance. For instance, I wish I had made a greater effort to get to know my roommates earlier. At the beginning of the semester, I felt intimidated by their exclusive use of Spanish. Over the past several weeks, I have formed a stronger connection with them and now realize how much I will miss them. It would have been wonderful to be close to them throughout the entire semester, but I am still grateful for the bond we share now. Another aspect I would change is my approach to journaling. Although I am not typically inclined towards journaling, I know I will appreciate looking back on these memories. Sometimes I fell behind by a week or two, making it difficult to catch up. However, I am still proud of my commitment to keeping a journal for the first time, consistently documenting my experiences even if I occasionally fell behind.

Another aspect of this experience that I am particularly proud of is consistently maintaining my personal devotions. I have written about this in previous blogs, sharing how beneficial it has been for my spiritual growth. This habit has become an integral part of my daily routine, and I look forward to continuing it when I return home in just one week. Additionally, I take pride in navigating the emotional challenges throughout this study abroad experience. Being away from home, family, and friends at MLC was significantly out of my comfort zone. Before leaving for Madrid, I anticipated a rollercoaster of emotions, expecting extreme highs and lows due to homesickness or missing the familiar comforts of the United States. However, I am grateful to have experienced consistent contentment and joy. Despite occasional moments of missing loved ones, I never felt overwhelmed by the distance. This inner peace and resilience are gifts from God, for which I am deeply thankful. His strength enabled me to embrace each moment and find happiness in every circumstance, making this semester an incredibly fulfilling experience.

Throughout my semester in Madrid, God’s hand has been remarkably evident in my travels, keeping me safe, providing everything I need, and blessing me immensely. Each trip I undertook was met with His protection, ensuring my well-being and allowing me to explore the beauty and richness of Spain and other countries without fear. His provision was constant, from the practical necessities like accommodation and sustenance to the emotional and spiritual support that sustained me during moments of homesickness and uncertainty. I have been blessed with opportunities to grow, learn, and connect with incredible people, all of which have deepened my faith and appreciation for His unwavering presence and care in my life.

During my time in Madrid, I have been inspired by numerous aspects of Spanish culture that I am excited to incorporate into my life back home in Minnesota. The emphasis on a slower, more deliberate pace of life has taught me the value of enjoying each moment, something I plan to embrace more fully. The vibrant social scene, with its focus on communal meals and lively conversations, has shown me the importance of nurturing relationships and making time for friends and family. The diverse culinary experiences sparked my passion for trying new recipes and incorporating more Spanish flavors into my cooking. I have also learned to navigate new environments with greater confidence and adaptability, skills that will undoubtedly benefit me in various aspects of my life. Overall, my experiences abroad have widened my perspective and will continue to influence my daily routines and interactions back home.

If any of you are considering studying abroad, here is a little advice that I have for you 🙂 Fully embrace every moment and opportunity that comes your way. Step out of your comfort zone and immerse yourself in the culture, even if it initially feels intimidating. Make an effort to connect with locals and fellow students who may be in your program—it’s through these relationships that you will gain the most rewarding experiences, especially if they are locals from the country that you choose to study in. Keep a journal to document your journey; you’ll appreciate having a detailed record of your memories! Stay organized and proactive with your studies, but also allow yourself the freedom to explore and travel the world since this is the perfect opportunity to do it. Lastly, trust in God and remain open to growth because this experience will challenge and change you in many ways. You will learn so much about yourself! Basically, if you are thinking of studying abroad, DO IT! You won’t regret it 🙂

Alaina’s Adventures Abroad – Coming to an End :(

May 15, 2024/in Madrid Spring 2024-Wiedoff

Hi everyone <3

How am I already writing my final blog??! It feels as if just yesterday I was writing my pre-departure blog a week before I left for this incredible semester. This week I have a full week of classes and exams the following half week. It is kind of odd to say we only have a week and a half left. Sarah and I were recalling when we were in London with our other study-abroad friends and David said, “I only have 2 weeks left.” We both remember at that moment saying how we could not imagine that feeling since we had “so much time left.” Well, it is safe to say, I am feeling all of the emotions of realizing my time in my beloved Madrid is almost up.

With my last week and a half, I will be attending school and prepping for exams along with spending my other time in all of my favorite places in Madrid. A very close friend is visiting this week as well, so she will get to see many of my favorite places for the first time, as I am seeing them for the last. ): My family is also visiting me after my program finishes and we are going to travel in Spain. I am SO excited to give them the biggest hug and show them around this city and country that I love dearly.

We were given a number of prompts to respond to, which I appreciate, otherwise, I would have written on and on about all of the blessings, lessons, and experiences of this semester. (Not always a bad thing…but for the sake of keeping this relatively short…)

What are you most proud of?

I am most proud of how I have learned to go with the flow and let things happen as they are intended to, within reason, of course. I am someone who plans ahead and likes to have a solid plan when I am traveling somewhere, or even for my day to day life. Sometimes when I do this, I stress my self out more than I think I realize in the moment. It has been really nice to just see where the day takes me or what “plan” works best for our schedule and budget. I am also very proud of the time I have taken to spend alone. I am incredibly thankful for Emily and Sarah, but I did enjoy spending time with myself. This is something I think needs to be done more often because in my opinion, you can learn more about who you are as an individual. I have learned so much about myself here and I am so grateful for that.

What would you do differently if you could?

I am really appreciative of the way this semester has gone, but if I were to do something differently, I would have not taken so much time the first couple weeks of the semester and before it even started, “planning” trips and everything I wanted to accomplish. I learned to just go with the flow here and be thankful for the plans that were made, even if they were very different than what I had expected months ago. I think I would’ve also made smaller goals in some areas. I have learned that when I set goals and do not meet them, I beat myself up about it a lot and instead of working towards the goal, I run further away because I feel like it is “too late.” I would have set smaller goals so I would feel more motivated that I could reach the goals. This is something I want to work on when I get home. If there was one travel thing I would have done differently is travel to the north of Spain. I was really hoping to get there, but I did not plan enough time. I will hopefully get there one day. 🙂

What will you incorporate into your life back home?

One habit I have really loved growing into is journaling. I have kept a daily journal and a prayer journal and have been consistent in writing in them. There was a time when I thought I lost my prayer journal, but it turned up! (I am so thankful it did.) I am so excited to finish my journals and to have them as a keepsake from this incredible time, as well as to look back at all of my answered prayers and unanswered prayers and praise God for how He has guided me and watched out for me during this time. I will also incorporate being more curious about what goes on in the world, but more specifically in my home town and state. It can be very easy to get into routine at home but there are so many places and things I have not experienced in my home town. I want to go to more markets and more events that are held around the area. I would love to try new restaurants and cafes. It is so easy to get comfortable going to my 2-3 places that I rely on and love, but being here has taught me that pushing myself out of my comfort zone and trying new things always brings unexpected blessings and meaningful experiences.

What are you most grateful for?

I am SO grateful for this opportunity to study abroad and to see this magnificent world that our God created. Truly, this experience of seeing parts of Europe and more of Spain has been a dream.

God has blessed me with so many wonderful support systems and I am so thankful for them. My parents have encouraged me to go out and see the world, while studying the language I love, even though they had to send their “not-so-little-girl” away for 4 months!!!! That is a long time. (At least for me.) My parents are some of my biggest role models and truly, they are my best friends. They lead me to Christ daily and encourage me to go out into the world being a light for our loving God. I am so grateful for them.

I also want to include how thankful I am for my boyfriend, Dylan. Dylan and I have been dating for about over 4 years and most of that time has been distanced. This study abroad time was a LONG time to go without seeing each other. We did have the one week in March and that was such a wonderful time and I am so grateful for the time we did have. Still, for us, this has been a long time of different time zones, communicating over the phone, and missing one another. Dylan has supported me and encouraged me throughout this entire process and I am so thankful to be loved by him and to love him.

I also want to include how grateful I am for our “study abroad squad.” Mrs. Kassuelke has taught us over the last year through classes at MLC more about culture and more about ourselves as individuals. (We love you, Mrs. Kassuelke, you are the best!!) Included in these classes were David Fenske, Alison Foxen, Emily Wittig, Sarah Hoffe, and myself. Being with Emily and Sarah in Spain has been wonderful and I am so thankful to have them here and to share this beautiful experience with them. Even though Alison and David were living their study abroad experience in London and Ireland, I still felt close to them. Our friendships all grew over this last year and I am so grateful for the role they have all played and for an amazing support system. I could go on and on about everything I am grateful for here, but the most important is that I am grateful for my God and how He has shown me the blessings of this season of my life.

How have you seen God’s hand in your experience abroad? What unexpected blessings or provision have you seen?

There have been many evident experiences during this semester where I have seen God’s hand. I would say one of the most obvious ones is all of the beauty I have seen. I have always been a small town girl at heart because it is all I’ve known, at least for living. Even though I still would consider myself a small town girl, I have a new found appreciation for big cities and have seen so much beauty here. When we have traveled around Spain and Europe, I have gotten to see more of the beauty of this creation. Some specific places that really had me saying, “Wow God”, were the cliffs at the furthest point in Europe in Portugal, the crystal clear waters in Tenerife and Mallorca, and the hiking trails and fishing villages in the Cinque Terre, Italy. Of course, there were many more of these moments in my other travels, but these are some that greatly stick out. I have also seen God’s hand in our travels when we were accidentally in unsafe areas or were barely making a couple flights and a layover. God has kept me safe and has gotten me where I had hoped without TOO much stress, which is an incredible blessing. I have seen God’s hand in the friendships I have, both here in Spain and back home. God has blessed me with such wonderful friends and I am so thankful. An unexpected blessing for me has been learning more about myself through many experiences this semester. I have learned more about who I am, what I appreciate in a friend, why I have the morals I do, what I need to work on, and where in my life I am so blessed. This time away has presented me with lots of time to think and reflect on who I am and why, and that has been a very unexpected blessing.

What advice would you give future semester abroad students?

I am so proud of you for choosing to leave the life you are comfortable with and know well in order to experience something so beautifully different! It can be so scary sometimes to take a leap like this, but let me tell you that God is with you every step of the way! Take my advice when I say that everything does work out in the best way possible, according to God’s plan. I do think it is perfectly fine to look into the things you’d like to do and the places you would like to travel and everything you want to see, but keep in mind that those ideas and expectations may change and that is perfectly okay. You will love your abroad experience no matter what!

Reach out to those around you that you do not know! Get to know others from different states and countries and ask, politely and with curiosity, about cultures you are not familiar with! I have had some of the most interesting conversations and have not regretted going outside my comfort zone to have them one bit. While you should 100% get to know others and reach out to new friends, remember to be true to who you are. There may be times that you feel a bit uncomfortable or that something isn’t for you, I have felt this way! Stay true to who you are and your morals, this in itself is shining your light for your Lord.

Keep a journal!!!!! Some days it has felt like a task and some weeks I have even had to catch up on a couple entries because life does get busy here, but you will not regret this keepsake. I am so excited to keep my travel journal so I can look back at it when I am reminiscing about my abroad times and show those I love, perhaps even my own children one day. Write down your prayers! It has been so special to see all of my prayers and how God has answered them.

Travel! I know traveling can be overwhelming and expensive, but please, take this opportunity while you are young to see this beautiful world! Every place I have been has never failed to leave me in some sort of wonder at the creativity of our God. Make sure to travel around your home country, and outside of it! Stay in your own city for some weekends! I have loved the weekends I have spent in Madrid. There is always so much to do and I love feeling like I actually live here. Give some love to your home (abroad) city.

Do not be afraid to reach out to those who love you! You are not in this experience alone, even though sometimes it may feel like it because of the distance. It is completely normal to feel tired or homesick, let yourself feel these things and talk to God about it!

Trust in the Lord with all your heart! He will get you through anything and has such greater plans than we could ever imagine.

What a blessing it is to study in such a beautiful country with such beautiful people and culture. This world is so incredible and the last four months have continued to be a testament of how amazing our God is.

Thank you so much for following along my study abroad journey! I appreciate all your love, prayers, and support. Please feel free to reach out with any questions you may have! 🙂 I would love to share more if anyone is interested.

All my love,

Alaina Wiedoff

El fin?!

May 15, 2024/in Madrid Spring 2024-Wittig

The end: el fin, el final, el límite. Que loco. How crazy that it’s already the end of the study abroad semester. It feels like I was writing about my goals for the next four months of life in Spain just yesterday. And now I only have a week left. The end is near.

I accomplished many of my goals this semester, which makes me very proud. What I’d have to say I’m the most proud of is how much I solo-travelled. I had 3 trips I did myself: a weekend in Amsterdam, a week in Italy, and a weekend in Paris. In the past, I’ve always been the kind of person who does things with people. And don’t get me wrong, I still enjoy spending time with friends and doing things with them, but traveling alone, not knowing anyone, and going to a different country was exciting. But it was also nerve-wracking. I was in a new country and didn’t know anyone. That meant sometimes I would eat alone. At MLC, I’d almost always go to meals with someone, or at the very least, I’d sit at the “class table” and have someone I knew. Traveling solo required me to ask for help on occasion. I’m stubborn and like to solve problems independently, but new territory (literally) commands a new mindset. Solo travel allowed me to see what I wanted to see. None of my friends want to see a random street or statue? That’s okay, I’ll just take whatever form of public transportation or walk there. They don’t want to wander a museum or eat cheap food to save money? No worries, I’ll find a grocery store on my way back to my hostel. I could do what I wanted and see the places I liked. But by far, the biggest blessing of solo traveling is the opportunity to make new friends. In hostels, I met many amazing people from around the world. Some places include the US, Canada, Australia, England, Germany, and many more. I still catch up with a few of them about their travels and hope we’ll continue to do so.

I’m very happy with how I spent my semester, but if I could change one thing, I would love to travel more in my host country. My program hosted a few day trips to nearby cities, but there are amazing places near the coasts that I would’ve loved to visit. For example, the north of Spain has a lot of history and beautiful beaches. In the south, there are caves and beaches. I remember the crystal blue water in Nerja when I visited Spain almost 5 years ago. Then, in the west, I would love to return to Barcelona, but I also want to see Valencia. Both are coastal cities with a lot of history and culture.

Going back home is going to be a considerable change. There are things I will miss about Spain, as to be expected, so I have some “habits” I want to bring back with me. In the morning, I listen to a 5-10 minute devotion by my home church or Time of Grace while I get ready for school. This allows me to get ready for my day and start it with God’s Word. I did some notetaking in my journal Bible, though I didn’t do as much as I had hoped. I want to better this habit once I get home. I also want to walk more, but I’m not exactly sure how plausible that will be. I’m excited to drive my car, don’t get me wrong (I’m going to blast music with the windows down,) but getting my body moving a bit while I walk to nearby places is healthy in so many ways. Right now, I plan to take nightly walks during the summer, and I’ll make another plan during the school year.

I’m grateful for so many things from this experience. To pick one thing would be super tricky, so I’m going to say I’m thankful for the culture. I’ve traveled enough to experience a few different cultures and meet many people. I’ve made a few really close friends in Spain, and we can see museums or explore new neighborhoods together. I’ve even tried new foods and navigated other countries with them. I’ve met people from other countries and have seen their kindness. I love talking about the different cultural aspects, including food and vocabulary. Even the locals are interesting to talk to. Especially in Spain, I would chat with cashiers or market vendors. They’re not deep conversations, but I often learn something interesting about their life or Spain. I’ve seen God’s hand in this aspect, too. The creation of different cultures, especially languages, was a result of a sin at the Tower of Babel, with people selfishly wanting to be even with God. But God turned this sin into something good so we can see and experience different ways of life. It’s been such a blessing to meet all these fantastic people and get to know them. I’ve gotten to share my faith with a few of them and shared my cancer story with them, too, which is a huge blessing.

Finally, here are a few recommendations for people going to study abroad. Just go for it. Don’t be afraid to look out of place because, honestly, you probably will. But you’ll learn the cultural norms and get to meet a ton of really lovely people in the process. And no matter what happens, God will bless you in the process.

Sunset in Sol

Such a talented painter

Colosseum

Trevi Fountain

Pasta lesson!

Longest hike for this view

Boat tour

Lovely gals in Italy

Woke up at 4:45 for this sunrise

Gotta hold up the tower

Starry Night!

Eiffel Tower!!

Alison’s Adventures in London

May 14, 2024/in London Spring 2024

“I know who I was when I got up this morning, but I think I must have been changed several times since then.”

Lewis Carroll’s Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland tells the whimsical story of a young girl, Alice, as she navigates the curious world of Wonderland. The quote above is Alice’s response when she is asked, “Who are you?” by the Caterpillar.

This quote perfectly encompasses my study abroad experience. Four months ago, I was at home, anxious and nervous while preparing to travel abroad. Now, I’m sitting in one of my favorite cafes in London for the last time, reflecting and preparing to travel home! That is CRAZY! Just like Alice, I have gone and changed throughout this adventure. I am still the same person; however, my perspective and appreciation for the world have changed.

Some of my most notable changes include:

Being an expert travel agent. Over the semester, I have used Google Maps and CityMapper daily. I have also learned to plan all my trips and adventures, which is more complicated than it sounds. There were some late nights when I was figuring out flights, lodging, and all the sightseeing places I wanted to see while also trying to coordinate times and prices!
Learning to adapt. Throughout the semester I have gotten to travel with a variety of people. Some of them were over-planners, while others were carefree travelers. I have had to adjust and adapt to different people’s personalities and travel styles. I have also had to adapt to changing surroundings, for example, my train being canceled last minute, my bus breaking down in the middle of nowhere, tickets being sold out, and unplanned weather conditions!
Growing self-confidence. I have always had self-confidence and independence; however, when living in a foreign country by myself, that self-confidence and independence changed. I am now used to traveling by myself. Also, doing basic things, such as cooking, going grocery shopping, and eating by myself, is something I had to adjust to. I have also gained confidence in speaking about my faith to others and having conversations with strangers. I have met some amazing people from all over the world. Some of those interactions have been very simple small talk, while others have been deeper conversations. I have enjoyed getting to know and meet so many new people!

One of the saddest parts of leaving is saying goodbye. One of my biggest fears coming into this semester was figuring out who I was going to be friends with. Over the last couple of months, I have made wonderful friends who have joined me on my travels and helped me navigate this crazy journey. I am incredibly grateful for them, and it has been sad to say goodbye. These last few days have been bittersweet. I am filled with a wide range of emotions, from sadness to relief to excitement. I LOVE London! This city is huge and has so much variety in every corner. I haven’t even been able to see everything, and I have been here for months! I am sad to leave this amazing city, but I am excited to return back to the comfort of home! I have missed family and friends from back home, and I look forward to coming back and sharing all my adventures with them!

Recent adventures include:

Trip to Ireland
Daytrips to Peak District National Park, York, Canterbury, and Dover
Saw Much Ado About Nothing and Henry IV part one and two
Enjoying some of the sun that finally decided to come!

Traveling is something I enjoy doing, and I am so glad I have gotten the opportunity to have seen so many places. This semester I have gotten to go to seven different countries. I have also gone to fifteen different cities in England besides London. People have asked me, “What’s your favorite place you’ve been to while abroad?” This question is very tricky for me to answer. I have loved every single place I have been to. Every country and city have its own beauty, quirks, and personality. It is hard to compare the gorgeous rolling hills of Scotland to the vibrant life in Spain. I have taken every journey I have been on as an incredible blessing. Most people do not get the chance to live in Europe for months, and I am so glad I pushed myself out of my comfort zone and chose to do this!

Unfortunately, there is only so much time and money in this world. There were several countries I missed but would’ve loved to visit while here (Germany, Italy, Greece). However, just because my semester abroad is at its end doesn’t mean that my traveling adventures have to be over. I plan to come back to Europe in the future to see those other countries, and I have many other countries in the world I also would love to visit as well! God’s creation is beautiful. It has been great to see different angles and perspectives from different cultures!

I am excited to get to go home and to see my family! Luckily with the technology we have today, I got to FaceTime and message my family often, which significantly helped with the homesickness. However, I know that there will be some adjustments for when I do come back to the States.

Culture Shock – Even though the UK is relatively similar in certain cultural aspects to the US, there are still some differences. It will take getting used to driving again since I have taken public transportation everywhere (I am also used to left-sided traffic). My perspective on time is also different. It takes me about an hour one way to get anywhere in London, so it’ll be nice to have to drive only ten to thirty minutes to go somewhere back home.
Gratefulness – Going home will allow me to take notice and appreciate the small things in life. I never realized how much I appreciate small things, such as sunshine, coffee makers, and 24-hour stores, until it was gone. When I go back home, I will be more thankful for those things in my life!
Adventures – When I go home, I think I will experience boredom. Not that being at home is necessarily “boring,” but over the past few months, I have constantly been traveling, trying new things, and going out. It will take some adjusting to get used to just being at home in my small town. However, I have learned to experience local culture and events since being abroad. When I go home, I plan on finding local or nearby activities to explore and learn to appreciate my surroundings more.

I have dedicated two and a half years of my life to planning and imagining what studying in London would be like… and now it is over in the blink of an eye. The most consistent thing in my life, especially over here, is God. God has been with me every single step of this journey. He made sure I was safe and provided me with everything I needed. God blesses us in awesome ways, and this semester has shown me how God’s hand is at work in all things we do!

My advice for others is to find whatever you are passionate about and go for it! One of the biggest things I do is I have a bucket list. I love having goals and doing everything I can to achieve those goals! For me personally, traveling is a huge thing on my bucket list! I did research and figured out how I could achieve my goals and dreams. So, my advice is to find your passions and dreams in your life and figure out what to do in order to accomplish them! For those of you who love the idea of traveling like me, the most important thing to do is START. Start planning… start researching… start saving… and figure out where in the world you want to go!

I leave part of my heart in London. Studying abroad has been a life changing experience for me, and I have appreciated every second of it!

Cliffs of Moher in Ireland

View from Peak District National Park in England

Me with two of my friends, Sophia and Kyara

Chatsworth House – filming location of 2005 Pride and Prejudice

Till we meet again,

Alison Foxen

The End…?

May 2, 2024/in Galway Spring 2024

Wow. It feels like I was sitting in my bed at home typing my pre-departure blog just yesterday. But here I am, four months later, sitting in the same position, writing my final blog. My experience studying abroad in Ireland was fantastic! I can genuinely say that I loved everything about it (both the good and the bad). However, I am so glad to be home. Before I begin reflecting on my experience, I want to tell you a story. In my Medieval Literature class, we read an Arthurian legend called Sir Gawain and the Green Knight. Here’s a very simplified version of the story:

Our story begins with King Arthur in his court celebrating a Christmas feast. The feast is interrupted by a mysterious Green Knight who offers Arthur a unique proposition. The Green Knight’s proposal is simple: Arthur can strike the Green Knight’s neck (unchallenged)– if the Green Knight dies, Arthur wins the axe, but if the Green Knight survives, Arthur will have to face a return blow in precisely one year. Arthur wants to accept the challenge, but after some deliberation, Gawain decides to take Arthur’s place. Gawain takes the axe, holds it high overhead, and THUNK! The axe passes cleanly through the Green Knight’s neck, and his head is chopped off. Blood spurts everywhere, and as you can probably imagine, it’s a very gory scene. But here’s the thing– the Green Knight stands up, picks up his head, and says to Gawain, “See ya in a year!” and rides away on his horse. As you can imagine, Gawain is terrified. About nine months pass, and then Gawain sets off to find the Green Knight’s castle to receive his return blow. On his journey to the Green Knight’s castle, he faces several trials and tribulations (I won’t spoil them for you), and he eventually meets the Green Knight to receive his return blow. Spoiler alert: Gawain survives. Gawain returns home from his quest triumphant, but when he arrives back at Arthur’s kingdom, he feels like something is off. He’s gone on this great adventure, learned much about himself, survived, and even though he’s looked forward to returning home, his home feels uncanny. He feels out of place among his friends and family. And that’s how the story ends.

The reason I retold that entire story is because I feel like Gawain. Everything has been surreal and uncanny since returning home about two weeks ago. Sometimes, it hasn’t felt like I’m even at home. Other times, I’ve felt like a stranger in my homeland. To apply a modern term, what I and Gawain have experienced is called “reverse culture shock.”

Supposedly, it can be worse than standard culture shock, but I have yet to experience anything worse than the culture shock I dealt with in my first two weeks in Ireland. Most of the reverse culture shock I’ve experienced involves little things here and there. Here are a few examples:

Paper towels. Paper towels are in public restrooms here! The bathrooms in Ireland only had air dryers, which I dislike. Yes, I understand it’s better for the environment, but my hands don’t get dried unless I stand there forever. God bless America and her paper towels!
Single-use plastics. There were some single-use plastics in Ireland, but not nearly as many as in the United States. I would encourage you to count how much plastic you use daily. You’ll probably be shocked. I’ve noticed that I use more plastic in the US, mainly because I’ve been drinking coffee after coffee from my Keurig.
Water in the toilet bowl. The toilets in the US have SO MUCH water in them that’s unnecessary. Toilets in the US have probably five times the amount of water as toilets in Ireland. I don’t understand why there’s so much. It’s wasteful, and quite frankly, it splashes.
Traffic. Galway has the worst traffic in Ireland. Ireland has some of the worst traffic in Europe. Although I never drove in Ireland and rarely rode in cars, I was constantly surrounded by traffic. Driving in South Dakota/Minnesota has been weird. I drove 14 miles on Highway 14 at around 10 am on a Friday without seeing a car. I’m genuinely from the middle of nowhere– and I’m okay with that! On a side note, I’m enjoying the silence of being at home. Instead of waking up to the sound of traffic in the morning, I wake up to birds chirping.

Shifting gears, I’d like to reflect a bit on my experience by answering some questions that I’ve been asked to answer:

What are you most proud of?
- I met an American girl in my study abroad group. I could not stand her from the moment I met her. She drove me up a wall and pushed my buttons. We had very differing views on several things. I wanted to avoid her, but instead, I forced myself to try to get to know her and enjoy her presence. Guess what? I ended up getting along with her and now consider her a friend. I’m very proud that I didn’t take the easy way out by avoiding her. Instead, I tried my hardest to show her Christian love and was rewarded with a new friend.
What would you do differently if you could?
- I mentioned earlier that I loved everything, both the good and the bad. While that is the truth (because I don’t believe in wasting time on “what ifs”), if I had to change one thing, I probably would’ve picked a bigger city to live in. By the second weekend I was in Galway, I had seen everything there is to see in Galway. If I had gone to a bigger city, there would’ve been more great things to explore and see.
What will you incorporate into your life back home?
- I kept a daily journal in Ireland and plan to continue to journal daily. I did a poor job when I first arrived home, but I’ve been getting back into the habit in the past few days. In my daily journal, I wrote a prayer each day, and the most sensational experience I’ve had is reading old prayers and seeing how God has answered them.
What are you most grateful for?
- I am most grateful for the opportunities I had to travel at the end of my semester. I visited London, Madrid, Rome, and Florence in two weeks. I loved London– there were so many cool things to see– and my favorite was seeing a modern adaptation of Romeo and Juliet in the Globe Theater. 100% worth it. Madrid was charming, and I loved my time with the best tour guides I could ask for, Sarah and Alaina! I did not care so much for Italy. While I loved the history, ancient landmarks, and artworks, I despised the infrastructure and the tourists. Yes, I know I was a tourist, but there were simply too many people. I also found the cities to be dirty and the air quality terrible. Nevertheless, I enjoyed all of my experiences traveling.
How have you seen God’s hand in your experience abroad? What unexpected blessings or provision have you seen?
- I saw God’s hand everywhere, especially in answered and unanswered prayers. It surprised me, but when I think of the times that God felt the furthest away from me, he tended to be closer than ever.
- Some unexpected blessings were the opportunities to make good Christian friends and learn about other Christian beliefs. After interacting with Christians of various denominations, I became more convicted of my personal beliefs. Also, changing my major to the pastor track was entirely unexpected!
What advice would you give future semester-abroad students?
- Do your research. I went into my experience without knowing much about where I was going. I also didn’t know much about the university I would attend. I would’ve benefited from more time exploring the internet and learning about where I would live for 3.5 months.
- Know yourself. I think one of the keys to the success of my study abroad experience was making sure that I prioritized what I needed to do to take care of myself. For example, I always made sure that I had plenty to eat. I made sure I slept enough. I made sure I set aside time for reading and writing each day. I went to the gym multiple times per week. In other words, I developed a routine and stuck to it. By having control over my daily routine, I could deal with many of the uncontrollable aspects of studying abroad with grace and a clear mind.

Now that I’ve returned from Ireland, what’s next for me? Well, I’m headed to work. I’ve started working in the warehouse at Millborn Seeds (my family’s business), bagging seed mixes and preparing shipments. I worked there in high school all the time, and (surprisingly) I’m having fun “reliving my glory days.” Not only am I working in the warehouse, but I’m also helping my Dad with some cowboy work. I’ve tagged along several days to help check cattle and help with anything my Dad might need. Sometimes, it’s as simple as opening a gate; other times, it’s holding a ferocious calf in a chute to prevent it from kicking me. I love it all. It is gratifying to do honest work with my hands.

I’ll continue to work for about a month until I leave for Buenos Aires, Argentina, for my second Spanish immersion trip. I’ll be spending five weeks studying Spanish literature this year, and I’m incredibly excited. Once I return from that trip at the end of June, I’ll move back to New Ulm, where I’ll be house-sitting for Professor Degner and bartending at the New Ulm Country Club. Once August hits, I’ll return to school, beginning my studies in Greek, Hebrew, and Theology. I’m thrilled for the future.

Finally, I’d like to end with a special treat:

“David, you’ve read all those books (33.5 in total). Which ones would you recommend?”

Sir Gawain and the Green Knight by Anonymous
On Writing: A Memoir of the Craft by Stephen King
For Whom the Bell Tolls by Ernest Hemingway
Brave New World by Aldous Huxley
Lonesome Dove by Larry McMurtry
Stoner by John Williams
Summertime by J.M. Coetzee

Thank you for reading my blog(s). I enjoyed writing them as much as I enjoyed studying abroad. I found all of the writing and reflection that I did valuable for my experience.

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