Pre-departure !!

Hi everyone!

My name is Rheem and I'm a business student at Fairfield University in Connecticut.
I am currently studying abroad in Madrid, Spain for one semester. My case is a little bit different from the other Americans that I know studying abroad because I am an international student in the US. Therefore, this is technically not my first experience on another continent.

I'm originally from Rabat, Morocco. I grew up in a very bi-cultural and bilingual atmosphere where French and Arabic were part of my daily life. I chose to study in the United States for college instead of staying in Morocco or going to France like the rest of my friends because I've always wanted to travel and see cultures that I didn't know about.

I chose Spain because it has the perfect geographic location: right in between France and Morocco. In addition, because Spain is so close to Morocco (30 mins by Ferry), my family and I used to go there every summer and had an amazing time. I know Andalusia (region in the South of Spain) very well but had never traveled North, so it is my first time in Madrid. I love everything about Spain: the food, the beaches, the language, the people, the parties, wine, cheese, etc. If the unemployment rate wasn't so high (24%), I would probably move here!!

Unlike most of the exchange students from the US, I didn't fly to Spain but took the train. I was in Morocco for the summer, so my parents drove me to Tangier to take the ferry, then took the high speed train (called AVE) from Seville to Madrid.

I was amazed by the beauty of this city that I would call home for 4 months and a half. I wasn't as anxious and stressed as other exchange students who might have left the US or their home country for the first time in their life because I had already been through the culture shock and adaptation in the US. I learned to live without seeing my parents everyday, without having my friends with me, and speaking a different language. If I managed to handle the United States, I could definitely handle Spain!!! haha.

I brought only one (big) suitcase with me because I am going back home for a week end in October and will bring my other suitcase with all the winter clothes. Don't forget any medication, adapters and your computer or Ipad!! Also, I know how much Americans love peanut butter and I am happy to tell you that they sell it here and even have specialized American stores !

Saying your goodbyes to family members and friends is never easy, whether you live an hour away from home or 10 hours by plane. Spend some quality time with everyone you're going to miss and don't forget that it's 2014!! Skype, Viber, whatsapp, imessage and emails are very good tools to stay in touch!!


Hasta luego!! Y viva España!!