Study Abroad Diaries

T. O’Rourke

By Tierney

Abroad Diaries, Madrid

Week 1: Pre-departure

September 3-11

Any sane human would start packing no more than two days before a trip abroad. However, I came to the conclusion many, many moons ago that I am a far cry from sane. Evidence for this claim includes my copious use of post-it notes (thank you Arthur Fry), obsessive addiction to sugar (how can anyone go without Swedish fish?), and, more relevant to the present matter, my compulsive need for advanced planning. One could say I started “packing” in mid-June. Why, then, has this past week been one of the most stressful of the year (a close third to finals week and The Bachelorette finale)? Even the most detailed lists of clothes, travel documents, and precise amount of Luna bars needed to see me through Ibiza could do nothing to quell my pre-departure jitters.

Yet I can’t help but imagine how crazy this week would have been without my neurotic preparations. I started by carefully combing through all the information I’d gotten at the orientation meetings in the spring (because lets be honest, I slept through half of them and answered email during the other half – not the best call now that I think about it, but c’est la vie… er, así es la vida?). The packets actually had a ton of helpful pre-departure suggestions, including registering my trip with the US Department of State (I now get email updates and travel warnings for the places I plan to visit), remembering to buy a unique gift for my host family (a hand-made Oregonian cribbage set), and reconfirming my flight 48 hours before lift-off (apparently if you don’t they can give away your seat… no thanks).

Next, I conferred with my travel cronies about our plans once we arrive. The six of us will be traversing around Spain for eight days before our program starts, catching some rays (and neon lights) in Ibiza and practicing our “th” sounds in Barcelona (Barthelona?). We booked our flights with Ryan Air, Vueling, and EasyJet since they’re far cheaper than any other airline, as long as you avoid extra costs and fees like baggage (we’ll only be taking carry-ons), premium seats, and rental car services.  I would recommend avoiding Vueling, though, as they seem to think it’s okay to spontaneously change the time of a flight you’ve already booked and paid for without alerting you…. But I digress. We then carefully researched Ibiza hostels and found one that looks great (for only $30 total for three nights!) called Hostal Giramundo Ibiza. Once we hit Barcelona, we’ll be mooching off some fellow students at their apartment. Win.

The rest of the planning was pretty straightforward (albeit time-consuming): I contacted the program director in Madrid, who agreed to keep our luggage safe while we gallivant around Spain; researched where the nearest Vodafone store to the airport is located, so I can get that international cell as soon as I arrive (way cheaper than bringing an American phone); got my family set up with Skype for our weekly (maybe bi-weekly) chats; created a Google doc that details my travel itinerary, and then sent the link to close family and friends who might enjoy keeping tabs on my whereabouts; bought travel-sized shampoos, conditioners, and face-washes so TSA doesn’t freak out over my liquids; invested in a lovely new pair of boots (along with far too many shirts and skits I “need” for my trip); broke a sweat trying to cram three months of stuff into one duffel bag and one backpack (I’ll soon realize what I’ve forgotten, but for now ignorance is bliss); and then said bon voyage (ah, buen viaje?).

So yes, this week’s been crazy. Between hanging out with my two younger sisters and the friends who haven’t left for school yet, two family trips to the beach, three separate Target trips, powering through all four seasons of Gossip Girl, and my desperate last-ditch attempt at a bikini-ready bod, I’ve been running close to the speed of light. Thankfully it all ends (or, perhaps, begins) tomorrow at 10:54 AM. Hello Madrid! Hasta luego US of A.