Pre-departure Thoughts

Although my flight for Madrid is still a few days away, I have already experienced difficulties sleeping for most of this past week. It seems fitting that at the start of my final year in college I am experiencing the same feelings of nervousness and excitement as I did when I started as a freshman. From anxieties about recruiting while abroad (not exactly ideal timing, but it can't be helped) to maintaining my fitness level (the "iron bug" has hit me pretty hard in college and I have a fairly difficult timing putting on muscle and an easy time losing it) and worries about getting my Spanish to an intermediate level 2 class (I haven't really spoken in Spanish since the AP exam) to general travel anxieties (costs, logistics, gypsy pickpockets, getting caught in a major protest, being kidnapped a la Taken... the usual stuff), getting a decent night's sleep hasn't been easy.

That's not to say I'm dreading this trip, far from it (I'm just a really anxious person that tends to over analyze details.)  I got a little sample of Europe earlier this year when I visited Italy and Spain and eager to experience more. I am very much looking forward to seeing more European architecture, trying new foods, meeting new people and living in a different environment. Being a huge believer in the virtues of a global perspective, the idea of living abroad is something I hold with great importance.

As the realization of this dream is only a few days away, naturally my mind is in a very weird place (hence the rambling structure of this post.) It should eventually dissipate once I'm there and settling in. But until that happy day that I leave, sleeplessness and insomnia will be my constant companions.

Introductions

Allow me to introduce myself, my name is Andrew and I am a rising senior in NYU. This blog will outline my experiences as I study abroad this fall in Madrid. My posts can range from general thoughts about my travels as well as my attempts to juggle my academic responsibilities, stay in shape and recruit for a full-time position in the Financial Services Industries. Throughout this period I will also look to post pictures and videos when time permits.

A fair warning, I'm fairly eclectic in my interests and can have a nerdy sense of humor (I'm an Econ/Math major that loves weightlifting and A Song of Ice and Fire among many other things.) If this sounds like your cup of tea, I will try my best to not disappoint you and keep you entertained. That being said, I'm hoping to update this blog on a daily basis (no promises.)

Now that we have settled those matters, let's go on an adventure and see where the winds take us.