February 1, 2026
Halfway Home, Fully Here
"When I look back over my life and I see how good You have been, oh my soul sings, great is, great is Your faithfulness..."
These lyrics keep coming to mind as I reflect on my experience in Spain. I am struck when I realize that I am already past the halfway mark of my time here. Now, there is more time behind me than ahead, and I'm living in the in-between. It feels like just yesterday I nervously walked into my first day of Spanish school, overwhelmed by the unfamiliar sounds, smells, and faces, yet eager to learn and adapt. Now, I find myself on what I can only describe as the downhill stretch of this incredible journey. To me, this experience has been like riding a magic carpet: right now, I am gliding gracefully, filled with wonder and joy, yet I know that in a short time, the carpet will be pulled from beneath me, and I will wake up back in the U.S., leaving this adventure behind and embracing the college journey.
January has been a truly special month, not only because I began the new year in Spain, but because it ended with moments that I will always remember. After the Reyes Magos celebrations ended, school resumed. Returning to the routine after a long holiday was a little adjustment, but I was excited to reconnect with friends. Early in the month, my host family and I hiked to the top of a mountain where a large cross overlooks the city. From that point, I could see my house, my school, and countless familiar places. Another day, we rode horses through beautiful mountain trails. The weather was perfect, and the scenery was breathtaking. The tranquility reminded me of how beautiful this country truly is. Where I live, I can find the beach, the mountains, or the city all within one hour's distance, which is such a blessing.
We also took a trip to Valencia, where we enjoyed a delicious meal and did some shopping. Later in the month, I attended a birthday party of one of my school friends. The event was elegant and joyful; the girls wore long dresses, the guys wore suits, and we spent the evening having dinner, dancing, and singing. I always enjoy being around the warm, welcoming, and exciting energy of my Spanish friends. I find it fascinating how the interests and personalities of my Spanish friends and family often mirror my friends and family back in the U.S. Even though we are in different countries, the core of who we are shines through. At the end of the day, we’re all human, and our characters reveal themselves, regardless of the language we speak. It’s interesting to see how so many different factors connect us, and how I am naturally drawn to the same kind of friends here as I am at home.
One thing that continues to amaze me about Rotary is the friendships it fosters. One weekend I went on a bus to Valencia with another exchange student who also lives in my city. There, we met a group of rotary friends, had lunch, rode bikes, explored the city, shopped, and laughed until our sides hurt. Travel is easy in Spain with buses and trains connecting nearby cities, so the opportunities to explore and bond are endless. Friendships can be built anywhere, even far from home, and some of those bonds are truly unbreakable.
Towards the end of January, my host family went on a ski trip which was a mix of terror, excitement, and complete clumsiness. It was my first time in that much snow, my first time skiing, and my first time being in mountains so big. I can safely say I spent more time on my tail than on my skis; regardless, it was so much fun and absolutely beautiful. In between the wipeouts and snow-covered clothes, I realized that the courage to try something completely new, the humility to laugh at myself, and the joy of sharing these moments with others is profound. It reminded me that mistakes, messes, and failures are part of life, and often, they are the memories that last the longest. To wrap up the trip, my host family and I visited Granada, where we walked around the city and saw beautiful views. My host family is a huge part of why I’ve had such an incredible experience here thus far. It is not lost on me how fortunate I am to have been welcomed into such a caring and supportive home, with a family that feels like they’ve been my family all of my life. I’m starting to realize that leaving this home, along with leaving Spain, will be just as hard as leaving the U.S to come here in the first place.
January has been bittersweet, full of adventure, growth, and God’s faithfulness. I truly believe that each month gets a little easier, a little more familiar, and a little more special. Instead of staring at the calendar and reflecting on my timeline, I am choosing to embrace every remaining moment, and to soak up all that Spain has to offer. To future outbound students: dive in wholeheartedly. Be curious, be brave, and don’t be afraid to stumble…literally and figuratively. Say “yes” to new experiences, treasure friendships, and always take time to reflect on the small blessings. Your time abroad will fly faster than you expect, so savor it.
Thank you to Rotary, my family both back home and here in Spain, and my friends for the support and love along this journey. I am forever indebted to those who have invested in me. I know that in this exact moment, I am exactly where God wants me to be, and the peace that comes with that is indescribable.
Hasta Luego,
Rilyn