Rilyn’s Journals

February 28, 2026

The Beauty of Becoming

February has quietly come and gone, much like the changing of the seasons. In Spain, the air is beginning to warm up, and the sunlight lingers just a little longer each day. I’ve found simplicity in allowing myself to slow down enough to notice it. It reminds me that transformation rarely happens all at once; instead, it unfolds gently and easily. 

In many ways, I feel this same shift within myself. I think I am becoming someone new, or perhaps growing into the person I was always meant to be. I am learning to appreciate the quiet moments. I remain curious instead of certain, open instead of guarded, and willing to learn from whatever is placed before me. I’ve learned that growth is less about becoming perfect and more about becoming grounded and grateful. 

I write this now from a train station, waiting to begin a tour across Spain. There is something incredibly exciting about the moments before boarding a train or plane, the moment where one chapter has ended and another has not yet begun. I know this journey will become one of those memories I carry with me forever. (Stay tuned for my March diary, where I’ll have many details of my upcoming travels).

The beginning of February was lovely because I visited a dear friend in her city, where we spent time together and made unforgettable memories. I also spent many days with Mathilda, one of the three RYE students in my city, who has truly become like a sister to me. Friendships developed across borders and formed far from home are valuable because they are built on shared vulnerability, adaptation, forgiveness, and understanding. Recently, we created a shared album filled with the photos and videos that we have so far. We plan to turn them into a movie and watch it back this summer before we each return to our respective countries. I already know watching it will feel like revisiting a lifetime contained within a single year.

My class also celebrated the end of exams with an evening together. This night was a reminder of how important it is to step outside achievement and expectation and simply enjoy one another’s presence. Stepping away from the school atmosphere and enjoying quality time together is so important and necessary. One Sunday, my host family, and I went to Valencia where we saw the Mascletà , marking the beginning of Las Fallas. I can’t even describe standing there among the sound, energy, and tradition. I realize just how fortunate I am to experience life beyond what once felt familiar in Alamo, Georgia. 

I’ve had countless interviews and meetings with colleges and programs that have filled up many afternoons after school. The coming month holds significant change. Decisions about university lie ahead, and with them comes uncertainty… equal parts nerve-racking and exciting. I will also be switching host families and moving out of the home that I’ve been in for six months. Change is not something to fear, it is simply unfamiliar. Though it may feel uncertain at times, I trust that God’s plans reach far beyond my own understanding. Life unfolds in many directions, but He grants us wisdom and discernment precisely when we step into the unknown. I’ve realized that not every path needs to be fully visible for it to be the one we are meant to walk. Faith is not found in having all the answers, but in trusting enough to take the next step with an open and willing heart.

If this month has taught me anything, it is this: be still. In a world that constantly urges movement and transition, stillness is truly a form of gratitude. Pause long enough to notice the small joys. True joy and life are not only found in the milestones, but also in the simple, intimate moments.

These past six months have changed the trajectory of my life. If you're reading this and are interested in living out your dreams in another country, reach out to me. You have a lifetime to remain in your hometown, but sometimes stepping away for 10 months can be everything you never knew you needed. I understand that moving abroad isn’t for everyone. It takes courage, adaptability, and willingness to become comfortable in the uncomfortable. Yet so much growth happens when we step out of the familiar, into the unknown, even when we are scared. Whether you decide to do an exchange year or not, my advice remains the same: take the opportunities placed before you. Say yes to experiences, to connection, and to growth. Above all else, never take a single moment for granted because one day, you’ll look back and realize these moments are just memories. 

Signing off for now,

Hasta luego

Rilyn