Now that I have been living abroad in Spain for almost two months, I have a pretty set daily routine. Of course small things change day to day, but overall, I have created a life here that I love. For my blog this month, I wanted to share a bit of what an average day looks like for me here. Some things are really different, such as meal times and being five minutes away from the beach, and others feel just like home, like putting away laundry and doing my homework. Either way, I finally feel like I have found a good balance of new and comfortable, and am soaking up all the days I have left with this routine.

On a typical weekday I wake up around 7 a.m., no different than what I would do at home. I get ready for class and grab a piece of fruit or toast for breakfast on my way out the door, as well as a snack to eat during our break in class. I typically take the 8:08 a.m. tram, and it is less than a five minute walk to the station from my apartment. The tram ride is about 30 minutes and I typically spend it reading, talking to my friends or listening to whatever crazy conversations can be overheard on the tram that morning. When I arrive at the University of Alicante, I have a Spanish class from 9 a.m. to noon. So far, I have completed two of these classes, as they only last one month. All of the professors I have had have been incredible, both as teachers and people. These classes have also introduced me to some really awesome people from around the entire world. Not to mention, the 15 hours of Spanish class a week have really been paying off. After class, I typically meet up with some of my friends at a cafe at the university and we debrief our classes as well as work on homework. When they head off to their next class, I catch the next tram, and am usually home by 1:30 p.m. At around 2 p.m., my host mom serves me “la comida”. Here in Spain, this is the biggest meal of the day and is often served in many courses. It is also arguably my favorite part of the day because it is always so, so, so good. After I eat, I go to my room and take a “siesta” or a short nap. Around 3:15 p.m., my host mom leaves to go pick up my host sister from school. Sometimes I go with her, but typically I go off to do my own thing in the afternoons. I have really enjoyed going on runs as the weather here is perfect for it and I have found it’s a great way to explore and get to know the city. Other days I go to a cafe, walk the streets shopping, go to the beach, meet up with friends and the list goes on. It’s really whatever I feel up to that day, and I love having that freedom! Whatever I end up doing, I come home for dinner at around 9 p.m. Sometimes we don’t even eat until 10:30 p.m., much later than what’s considered normal back at home. Either before or after dinner I spend some time with my host family, telling them about my day and listening to theirs. My host sister and I help each other with homework (since hers is English and mine is Spanish) and watch movies together. We also play a lot of board games and indulge in various arts and crafts projects. I love the family dynamic that we share and there truly is never a dull moment. Before bed I shower, finish any homework I have left and reach out to my family and friends at home. At around midnight, I turn off my lights and go to sleep to do it all again the next day.

Although daily, this routine never seems to get old to me. I am always finding new things that I love about the city, learning new things about myself and being entertained by the amazing people I have here. Sometimes I can’t even believe that this incredible life is mine!

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Learn more about this blogger’s study abroad program: ALI Abroad: University of Alicante