Today was my last day at my internship at the school I've been working at. 70 hours later, I have made bonds with these kids that I was really sad to let go. With the older kids, we exchanged Instagram accounts, so I'll be able to stay in touch with them. I'm more sad about saying good bye to the little first graders. I have no idea how elementary teachers can spend a whole year with their students and survive saying good bye to them every year. I was a wreck today, and I was only with these kids for 70 days. Teachers are some kind of strong, and we should appreciate that strength more.
I feel like through this semester these children have thought me that language and culture doesn't mean anything when you get down to it. They love and laugh just like I do. I never once felt like the language barrier with these children hindered the relationships I made with them. When I was saying good bye to them (and crying), they understood exactly what was happening, and I knew that from the somber looks on their faces that mirrored my own. We all stood there and hugged each other, and after we said goodbye for the last time, some students came around for a second hug because emotions don't know language. I pray these children stay blessed and happy. I am thankful for the 70 hours I had with them and the other kids as well. My internship was a success in my eyes.
As much as I hate to say it, I only have five weeks left in Spain. Yes, you read that right. Five. I still can't figure out where the time has gone. One of the other students at the colegio interviewed me today, and in the interview, she asked me, "What places in Sevilla are your favorite? What will you miss?" For me, this was a really hard question to answer because there aren't places in Seville, aside from my host house, that I feel like I really like a lot. When I leave Seville, I will not miss the places here.
I'll miss my host mom and the way she tells me to eat more bread, like all the time.
I'll miss my walk to school each morning even though it's 1.5 miles long one way.
I'll miss the classmates that have become my second family.
I'll miss the children at the school and the teachers there.
I'll miss how normal it is to listen to Spanish music (don't expect this to stop anytime soon)
I have never been a person to really miss certain places. I'll miss people or things like I miss driving my car around Lubbock on a warm day with the windows down, and the wind blowing in my hair while I listen to my Lynn&Laina playlist. Today, I felt really nostalgic and homesick for a place I haven't even left yet. I just pray that these next five weeks are full of happiness, laughter, and memories to last a lifetime.
xoxo,
Caroline
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