March is a special month for me as it’s my birthday month. This means that I got the privilege of celebrating turning 20 years old in Spain! Although not the last, I am the first person out of our group from Mizzou to have a birthday while here. Due to this, we had no idea how to celebrate or what to do, but looking back, it could not have been more perfect. Here’s a recap of how my first birthday abroad went:

My birthday fell on a Tuesday this year, meaning I started the day with my Spanish class. My fellow classmates sang happy birthday to me (in Spanish of course), and my teacher brought me a box of chocolates. After class I went to a cafe with my friends where they bought me my favorite coffee. We sat and talked about how our classes went and our plans for the afternoon before it was time for me to head home. Before going home, I stopped and got a haircut, and my hairstylist was thrilled when she found out it was my birthday. On my walk home from the salon, I stopped and got a chocolate waffle (my Spain sweet treat of choice) from my favorite store. Once home, I had my favorite meal for lunch- lentejas- followed by a perfect siesta.

When I woke up, my friends and I decided to meet on the beach to celebrate. Upon arriving, I was greeted by my friends with chocolate cake (my favorite) waiting for me. We walked to the water, shoving cake in our mouths, when it started to downpour. Our first thunderstorm since arriving here. My friends and I danced around the beach in the rain, still eating our (now wet) cake and taking pictures of the beautiful storm. Disclaimer: It’s not the best idea to be out on the beach in the water when a storm is coming, so be smart and safe!

Finally, when it started to hail, we decided to move our party inside to a nearby restaurant. We ordered some snacks and drinks and laughed together for another hour or two until it was time to go home. I went home and ate dinner with my host family, followed by being sang to once again. Before bed I called my friends and family at home to tell them how my day went, as well as thank them for the cards and messages they had sent. Finally, I watched an episode of my show and went to sleep. The perfect ending to my perfect day.

Depending on when you plan to do your study abroad, you may also get the opportunity to celebrate a birthday while there. At first I was not a fan of the idea, as I have never spent a birthday away from home or my people. However, they called, texted, mailed me cards and even sent cards with me in January labeled “do not open until your birthday.” Needless to say, their love and celebrations were felt even from the other side of the world. On the other hand, I got the opportunity to feel loved and celebrated here by people from around the world. It is crazy to think that the people I celebrated with here are ones I have only known for a few weeks, and yet they were already willing to make my day so special. I am feeling one year older, ten times as loved and a million times more grateful. I can confidently say it was one of my best birthdays yet.

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