It's been a few days since I was notified that I won a scholarship to go to Spain, and now that I've had time to let it "sink in," I thought I'd write a short post to let everyone know my deepest, innermost thoughts (well, not really that deep).  As you can see from the "thumbs-up" picture of me above, the first thing that comes to mind when I think about the scholarship is GOOOOOOOD GOING!!!!

Really, I'm very happy that I have this opportunity to go back to Spain.  I loved the country the last time I was there (read about my first trip here) and vowed I would return, I just didn't think I'd be able to return so soon.  The truth is that it was this time last year when I returned home from my six months abroad in Valladolid and it's kinda hard to believe that in just a few short months I'll be going back.  I really do consider myself pretty lucky to be able to return to Spain in just over a year from the last time I was there.

I'd like to take a few minutes here and explain exactly what I hope this "return trip" to Spain will do for me.  As some of my readers probably know, I already have a pretty high level of proficiency in Spanish (near-native).  Nonetheless, one of my biggest goals for my return trip is to hone my Spanish skills so that I sound as native as possible.  Another big goal for this trip is to integrate myself more fully into the culture (the last time I was there, I went with other Americans and sometimes didn't participate in the "Spanish" way of life as much as I wish I would have).  In fact, during my last trip I was just starting to feel as if I "belonged" in the country when it was time for me to leave.  I hope that this time I will integrate myself more quickly into the lifestyle because I have already been there once and know more about what to expect. 

Now that I know I have a scholarship and am going to Spain for sure in September, my next steps are going to be getting the necessary visa, buying a plane ticket, looking for a place to live in Spain, and packing.  Stay tuned over the summer as I write about each of those steps (and much more) as I go through them. 

Hasta la próxima,
--Chris
http://www.abroadinspain.com