Jamie Clift, The Rotunda's longtime features editor, is studying abroad in Valencia, Spain at the Institute of Spanish Studies during the spring 2012 semester. Having stepped down from her position as features editor for the time being, Jamie Clift has charitably taken it upon herself to assume the role as The Rotunda's official Foreign Correspondent. In doing so, she will document her traveling experiences as an exchange student in each issue of The Rotunda.
I was going through Facebook a few weeks ago when I noticed a post that ended up eliminating every shred of productivity from my day. Someone had announced that classes were up. Being about 4,000 miles away from Farmville means being a little out of the loop when it comes to these things, so I shouted across the room, "Oh my gosh Ashton, classes are up!" I thought she would be as excited as me, but no. She just shrugged and told me that Jeff had shared this precious knowledge with her earlier. I think at this moment I was the angriest at Ashton I had ever been. How could she not tell me?
She explained that her advisor has some kind of folder with her life entirely planned out in it, and that she never has to make any decisions about her classes. I still felt betrayed. There was so much to be done. I had to review the requirements for my degree, look at all of the classes offered in both of my majors and my minor, decide how many credits I wanted to take, email my advisor, Facebook message my friends about what classes they're planning to take and make a colorful Excel spreadsheet of my most likely schedule, accounting for classes, meals and all of the meetings that I already know about.
I've always loved planning my classes. Even in high school when my guidance counselor handed out the class listings for the next year, I leaped for joy. College is even better because there are so many options. You get to choose the time you get up in the morning, the professors you have, the number of classes you take. There are so many decisions! But this time I was even more enthusiastic than usual.
Right now, I think I'm more excited about the future than I've been at any point in my life. I have so many wonderful things to come home to in May: the internship of my dreams, another year as an LSEM Peer Mentor, an amazing and supportive family and the best friends a girl could ask for.
When the time came for registration, I was quite overjoyed - especially since I got to register on Spanish time, meaning that all of my friends in Farmville were up at six o'clock in the morning and I was just sitting comfy in the basement of the institute at around noon. There were a few problems with the system, but I got all of the classes that I wanted. For the most part, I have a pretty agreeable schedule: 17 credits that include Yoga at eight in the morning, Constitutional Law and a very late psychology class that only meets on Wednesdays. However, any negative aspects of the schedule are countered by the fact that my friend Jamie and I are taking People
of Africa with Dr. Jordan. Perhaps my excitement is a sign of my homesickness. I'm just
really glad to be planning another semester at what is, as far as I'm concerned, the best University in the world. As much as I love Spain, I really can't wait to go back to Longwood. I miss my friends, my professors, my organizations, the campus and sometimes even D-hall. Leaving the country for four months was a great decision; I've learned a lot about Spanish language and culture that I could not have learned in any other way, and I've learned a lot about my- self too. But I won't lie, there is a little pang of sadness in my heart every time I get a Facebook invitation to a great event at Longwood. This year, there will be no Oozeball or Bandfest for me, and I didn't get to see the Rocky Horror Picture Show.
I know that I probably sound ridiculous, and I realize that missing a few fun events at Longwood is a very small price to pay for the amazing adventure I'm having right now - it's almost like I'm let- ting my relationship with Longwood keep me from fully enjoying Valencia. But I can't help it, and believe me, it's almost impossible not to enjoy Valencia.
Please don't think that my obsession with class schedules means that I'm not enjoying my study abroad experience. Spain is still as lovely as ever. I have made amazing friends here. I'm learning a lot and having the time of my life. To be completely honest, I think I am going to cry a lot when I leave in May. As my time here draws to an end, I realize that parting is going to be bittersweet. There's so much to look forward to, but I wish that I didn't have to leave Spain to get to it.
