Just in time for my twentieth birthday, I finally made it out of the United States. This summer marks the end of my teenage years, my first time out of the country and the longest time period I’ve been away from my family. It’s a test of independence that comes with new adventures and daily learning experiences.
| One cool thing about being 6 hours ahead in Salamanca is that my birthday came 6 hours earlier. My friends and I hung out in La Plaza Mayor until the clock struck 12:03 am. They all began to sing to me and my family at home recognized the time difference and messaged to wish me a Happy Birthday as well. |  |
  | A nearby band sat around at an outdoor cafe. My friend asked them to play “Cumpleaños Feliz” (Happy Birthday) for me. I have been in awe of the experiences on this program thus far, but having a whole band play for me in the plaza was one of the most memorable. It was a birthday spent like no other. My study abroad group surrounded me as I said “adios” (good-bye) to the teenage years and “hola” (hello) to traveling internationally. When we woke up the next morning, it was still July 12th, so it was still my birthday. My professor took my classmates and I all out to dinner as part of a class get together/birthday dinner for me. Ice cream is my favorite dessert, or food in general, and the wait staff brought me a plate of ice cream for dessert that said “felicidades” (congratulations) across the top  |
My twentieth birthday will always be one of the most special birthdays for me considering it was documented within a month of adventures and spent with many friends both new and old. I definitely felt welcome and like I belonged here in Salamanca and I wouldn’t have wanted to spend it any other way.
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