Traveling Tips: Packing

So you’re going abroad and your thinking "how in the world am I going to not only figure out what to pack for 4/5 months, but how do I fit it in a suitcase" From traveling throughout Europe and to different countries, here are some tips on how to efficiently pack for your time abroad! (And make it a whole lot easier!)

1. Best way to not only pack light but back efficiently: 3 BAGS --> 1 Suitcase, 1 rolling 10kg carry on bag ( or a duffle bag works great too! I found the wheeling small suitcase to be a lot easier!) and 1 backpack. The suitcase can fit 50lb or 23 kg max before you are charged for weight. Also having a backpack is prime because once you are abroad and want to go on day trips or travel, that's all you need! SIDENOTE: pack a good over the shoulder purse with a zipper for safety for everyday things!

2. Converters!!!! Check what country you are studying abroad and make sure you have the proper converters for outlets to charge your phone and computers. Also you are better off buying a straightener or hairdryer there because they are cheap and you can damage your straightener/dryer in the power outlets there.

3. ZIPLOC! - Vacuum seal bags by them are perfect! They don't change the amount of weight in your suitcase but they help a lot with organizing and creating space for more clothes and shoes.

4. Outfit on the plane - If you are worried about weight, wear all your heaviest clothes on the plane or pack them in your carry on. For example, my boots were my heaviest shoes so I wore them on the plane.

5. Locks - Most places are safe but for a piece of mind it is always safe to both have a bag lock and then a passport holder you can wear under your clothes or a money pouch. My mom immediately bought me one and even though I felt safe, I did use it once or twice just in case.

6. Extra set of clothes - I am not one of the first or last people that has lost their luggage, its a annoying feeling and I recommend to always pack a outfit and toothbrush in your carry on just in case it gets lost.

Facebook: Candice Kalil

Twitter: @CandiceLeeMary
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Granada - Tienes mi corazón

 4 months later... I'm going home. The beginning and end of this journey is filled with a mix of different goodbyes and hellos. Leaving Rhode Island in January was pretty filled with goodbyes, especially nervous ones because I didn't have the biggest idea of what living in Spain was going to be like. The hellos, new people and first encounters in Granada were both welcoming but also frightening. My beginning struggles with the language let me tell you, not smooth AT ALL. And meeting everyone almost reminded me of when I moved to Vermont for my freshman year, making new friends and being in a new environment. Yea I was a little spooked because I went out of my comfort zone. Looking at it now, when I think about the person I was coming into the Granada and being the person subtly venting her "leaving her abroad experience" feelings to you via blog, it’s absolutely bizarre.

I came to Granada with hardly any Spanish, a stupidly weak ankle and as much of an open mind as I tried. And in 4 months, like anyone who has spent a semester abroad would say, Granada became my home. Obviously I can say that from living here but it’s more than that. It’s the routine I had here, my classes where even one of my professors called us her "ninos" (children) and was where they goodbyes were harder than I thought. Any place whether it be Rhode Island or Vermont that I have called home I have always been surrounded by a beach or mountain, being able to explore. Granada is no different. I have been to some of the most beautiful beaches I have seen here and even this past Sunday my friends and I went on a longer hike through the mountains (my ankle was not a fan of that one but so worth it!). For Granada being a city, and having some beautiful parts within it, it’s amazing how much nature is around it. I've gotten to explore a decent amount of Europe while having the opportunity to be over here but getting to explore around Granada is by far the most breathtaking part. My friends and I joked around while having a lunch break on the hike about how it almost looks like we got green-screened into the scene because it was that pretty.

Home can be a lot of different definitions. In different places I have gotten to see, my definition of home mainly refers to one thing: the people. This was more than true in Granada. Not the older ladies who would call me out on the street if my hair was wet or tell me "que es ropa de verano?!" when I was wearing shorts. Not all the gypsies, who after 4 months of seeing me walk by them on the street still every morning persistently tried to give me rosemary and tell me my fortune. But rather the people I met here. My roommates who without a doubt had some of the biggest hearts and were some of the most down to earth people I have come to meet. Who didn't mind that we would forget our keys, would never turn down an opportunity to go on crazy hikes and wholly accepted our love to chocolate and supported each other’s relationship with it. 

Coming from Rhode Island, Washington, Mexico and Belgium, a tri-lingual household with wonderful friends I will never forget. Hopefully I will be able to see your cities someday. And also in my group of friends, who explored and got cultured together wandering through Barcelona and Belgium, who still hung out with me after my 21st birthday and on a long boat ride back from Morocco were able to make each other laugh so much we prevented any of us from getting sick during the bumpy ride. You ladies are amazing in your own way, and even though I keep catching myself saying "y'all" and I didn't feel my feet after our walking ventures sometimes, I am more than grateful to have met you and cannot wait to see you again.

I would be lying to you if I said I didn’t have a hard time leaving this city. I stayed a week later than my program but left Granada the same day as everyone. I knew I would be staying in Europe getting to visit Rome and the island of Mallorca for a week before returning to the states.  But staying up my last night in the city with my friends not one of us was being calm and collected, and realized how much we were going to miss it. My departure from Granada was actually pretty climactic, which didn’t help the bittersweet feeling. After many goodbyes and the last goodbye to my roommate Sofia, I headed to the Malaga airport as the sun rose.

If you have the opportunity and the chance to go abroad, I’m not going to be tough and say you’re a goon for not taking it. Things happen, but there is nothing and will never be anything quite like it. And for that, I’m grateful for the last 4 months. As bittersweet as it is leaving, there are some people and my pretty adorable puppies I can’t wait to see. Hasta luego Granada y muchas gracias por todo!

Facebook: Candice Kalil

Twitter: @CandiceLeeMary
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Studying Abroad

Since its the end of the semester the hot conversation topics consist of: "Bittersweet feelings", "How do you feel about being abroad now that its almost over?", "Would you have done it differently?"

What I have repeated probably over and over again subtly in each blog post I have written since the day I set foot in Europe, studying abroad is an experience far from anything else. If you have the chance or the possibility to do it, go. Don't hesitate and don't think twice about it. It will be one of the hardest things you do in ways you least expect, but it will be one of the best things you will ever experience. Being able to immerse yourself in another culture, whether there is a language barrier or not, is something that changes your complete outlook on life. From studying abroad you gain a new perspective on things: on people, the places you know and your world becomes a little bigger. "Broadening your horizons" is a phrase I use jokingly with people but in the most literal sense possible this is what studying abroad does. To pretty much sum it up this is why you need to go: You will become the best version of yourself from it. You will learn so much about yourself and how to jump out of the comfort zone you have had for the past 19 to 21 years. Even when you are filling out all the paper work, applications and all that jazz to get to where you want to go, you will have no idea what is going to happen until the day you leave.  Also when you are thinking of going abroad or are about to take off, its is 110% normal to be nervous. I would be lying to you if I said it didn't bite all my nails off or call home the second I got a hold of good wifi. Its absolutely normal to feel that way and for the beginning of studying abroad in itself. 

My friends and I have talked about how we felt at the beginning when we first got to Spain and we all agreed it was a mixed feeling because we hadn't gotten adjusted yet. Don't let that stop you and when that feeling hits, I promise you the first two weeks are the hardest and it gets easier! Classes help a lot because you get a schedule and they are also interesting too because they are sort of a hidden tour guide for you throughout the semester giving you information about the area and region you are studying in.

What I recommend, which makes it so more challenging, is to go somewhere where they don't speak English. Not that English speaking countries aren't beautiful and have a awesome culture of their own, its an entirely different experience going somewhere where English is not the dominant language. I can tell you plenty of cities in Europe where they will switch to English when they hear you make a mistake or don't complete the sentence correctly. But that's why being fully immersed in a place where English isn't the dominant language is so beneficial because it challenges you to learn the language and be able to get by in everyday life with the basics of that language.

No matter where you go, the best part of studying abroad is being able to explore. Whether the country you study abroad in is so large that you explore the whole thing or you go to Europe and are able to travel to many countries, its all brand new and this new place is literally your oyster. In 4 months (plus 1 week) when my semester is over, I was lucky enough to be able to visit seven different countries crossing two continents and see a whole lot of Spain. This is the other big piece of advice I suggest, save up as much as you can in every way. Cut back on things you don't need and save them for things you might want to do abroad. I saved up for a long time to come abroad and I am so happy I did because travelling is so cheap here. Even though I ate a lot of crackers and peanut butter sandwiches the past 4 months to save money while travelling, it was absolutely worth it.

Plan ahead, take any chance you get. I promise you its an opportunity you might not ever get again to go to a foreign country to live and experience their culture. It is the most bittersweet feeling leaving a beautiful place like this, but I have some awesome people to see when I get home! Take every chance and never stop adventuring.

Mi ciudad favorita

Facebook: Candice Kalil

Twitter: @CandiceLeeMary
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Living in the Iberian Peninsula

In having learned a lot about the history and culture of the area, here are some pretty interesting facts of where I am studying abroad:

• Spain and Portugal make up the Iberian Peninsula, which was huge throughout history for its valuable land and trading opportunities
• There is a point in Sangres, Portugal called "the end of the world" where the Portuguese and Catholic Monarchs believed the world ended before the Age of Discovery
• Spain is the worlds largest producer of olive oil
• Spain has been conquered over and over again by empires from the Romans to the Visigoths, the Moorish Empire which gave it its Islamic culture and then by the Catholic Monarchs

A whole lot of history is here in the Iberian Peninsula, more than we are taught in US schools where they mainly focus on the Age of Discovery and the Catholic Monarchs. This past weekend I got to check off one of my top places to visit while abroad and got to explore the other side of the peninsula by visiting southern Portugal. I went to the towns of Albufiera, Sangres and Lagos. Needless to say at some point in my life whenever that may be I will find a way to get back there, and live somewhere in Portugal because it is a beautiful country!

We got to see the craziest cliffs at the end of the world, which hands down is one of the prettiest places I have ever seen. From there we went to Lagos which we were told was a decently underrated city for travelling to, and I can see why it was an adorable town with gorgeous beaches. I could have easily stayed don't think I wouldn't have. The trip was called "Paradise Weekend" for a good reason, it was a great time with great company!

Coming back to Granada I realized that was my last trip of the semester. I am travelling to Rome and Majorca for a week before heading back to the US but two weeks from today my program ends, and I don't even know how to comprehend that. There was so much built up to studying abroad and now that its almost over, bittersweet is really the only word to describe it. I'm excited to be home and see my family (and of course my pups!) but I am going to miss the people and this city. I am going to miss the awesome group of friends who I was lucky to get to travel Europe with and the professors who taught me more than I could have thought. One of my friends sent us an article about the friends you make travelling, and how those friends are so valuable. It hit the nail on the head for how much I am going to miss the people I have met here. The entire semester has memories and people I will never forget, and has been the best experience I could ask for. Here is to the next two weeks and the city I have called home.

My Spanish class and our adorable professor!

Facebook: Candice Kalil

Twitter: @CandiceLeeMary
Instagram: candicekalil31

Wanderlust

(via)

Having the "my abroad experience ends in a month, what is life..." moments frequently the past few days sends me through the biggest mix of emotions I could have. Every part of my life I love; living in Rhode Island to going to school in Vermont, and now my life here in Granada. This is what I can tell you about going abroad. You can skim through every other post I have put on my blog which will tell you all the amazing things and places you will get to see, but this is the main thing I can tell you: 

Being abroad is where you learn more about yourself, your comfort zone and how challenging yourself can be the most difficult and most rewarding thing you can do.  

There is a reason its coined experiential learning. Yes you have classes and are there for school, but the amount you learn outside of the classroom along with the material in them is far more valuable all together than anything. I could tell you all the history facts about the empires of Granada and the Catholic monarchs who took over the city. I have learned so much in comparison of Latin America and Spain. I have an amazing Spanish professor and class so I have learned a lot about the language especially inside and outside of the classroom. I will tell you that you will take more away from both in and out of the classroom doing a semester abroad than you will from anything you have ever experienced. I have been the most independent I have ever been, the most challenged I have ever been and most of all, I have never felt more like myself. 

You learn a lot from all the different adventures you have. I learned my body will never ever like foods with tons of spices but will never see the day that it doesn't love a chocolate croissant. I learned sleeping on the floor of an airport to catch a morning flight was one of the most minimal nights of sleep I've ever had, but it was one of the best trips and weekends with great company. I learned that I am not invincible still hobbling when coming to Europe after fracturing a leg, and that feeling of finishing a hike with views that are out of this world has never made me more grateful. I learned that putting myself in a culture where I hardly understood the language was the most challenging thing I could do to myself, and the most rewarding. 

4 SD memory cards and a postcard from every location, I won't ever forget the memories I have here. I don't want there to be a month left, time really does fly when you are having fun, and all good things must come to and end. Portugal I'm coming for you this weekend and here's to another month of bliss abroad, and an unreal adventure. 

Facebook: Candice Kalil

Twitter: @CandiceLeeMary
Instagram: candicekalil31

Traveling Knows No Pain: Morocco

This past weekend I traveled to Morocco to visit the towns of Tangier, Chefchaouen, Tétouan, and Asilah. The trip started off with a bus to a boat to another bus to reach the town of Tangier where we were staying. After my friends and I sat down on the boat heading over to Africa the girl we sat next to (she looked American and we figured she thought the same about us as she started up a conversation with us) was one of the coolest people I have met. Camille was telling us how after a couple jobs fell through after college she went with a friend on a trip to Costa Rica and has been traveling since. She has been nomadic for three years now and has been to tons of amazing places such as Southern Asia. She talked about her blogging and free-lance writing, how she created her own job and how she has gone about the lifestyle she has. Naturally we all bonded over traveling and she was awesome to talk to! She gave us her card and if you get a moment check out her website This American Girl, it will immediately make you want to pack your suitcase and travel!

Once we got to Tangier I at least realized how much of an entirely different world I was in. Morocco is a Islamic country and weirdly enough I felt like I was in a Middle Eastern country while I was there. There were different lifestyle elements that were tricky to get used to. The
first being that women are not as equal to men in the society there, and being a tourist I can't tell you how many times our group got called "Spice Girls" "California" or "Soul Sisters". After that was the poverty in some of the areas. The biggest thing I took away was watching this little boy beg everyone around him to buy some gum. As he was going around and being incredibly persistent, I saw him go back to his parents who were a couple steps away to get more packs of gum and then continue on begging for money that would most likely go toward their next meal. Morocco was another world and even though there were some tough things to see, it was absolutely worth seeing.

What I liked about the trip was that we saw a bunch of different cities, my favorites being Chefchaouen and Asilah. Chefchaouen was located up in the mountains with its winding blue cobalt and shaded blue streets and markets. Another cultural aspect of Morocco was bargaining, whenever you bought something you had to haggle the price. Very different from other cultures but Chefchaouen had many markets to buy blankets, clothing and souvenirs. The architecture and structure of the city was gorgeous and also similar to the seaside town of Asilah. Asilah was similar to Chefchaouen with its blue walls but it was situated right on the water with a gorgeous beach. I could go back there in a second. The weekend in itself was full of adventure with exploring, quaint cities, camels and good company.

The Aftermath: So when going to different or even developing countries it is always important to be cautious of the food and water. We did not drink the water because our bodies would not be used to the minerals in it, so we stuck to bottled water. As for the food, I took a stomach protector before, during and after the time there. Unfortunately my stomach is a lot more sensitive than I thought because once Tuesday rolled around my food poisoning kicked in. There was not a worse feeling than having to go to the doctors and being that unbearably sick so far from home. I don't think I had been as homesick as I was in that moment. I would never wish that upon anyone, but for traveling it really knows no pain and I can tell you the next time I travel to somewhere similar like Morocco I will be taking more precautions. I am okay now but the whole thing will be a funny story in the next few days!

Facebook: Candice Kalil

Twitter: @CandiceLeeMary
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The Kalil Boys Take on Europe

What I didn´t know coming to study abroad in Granada was the importance of Holy Week in Spain. I knew Spain was very Catholic or as the Spanish say "Spain nationality consists of two parts: Spain is a Catholic country and many Spaniards are catholic". Little did I know how extravagant Holy Week or in Spanish "Semana Santa" festivities were.

The coolest part was getting to see it with my family! My spring break was the entire week of Semana Santa and my brother and Dad made it out to Spain! We spent a few days in Granada then went to the beach town of Torremolinos to relax and then did a day in Malaga. When they got here we were surrounded by the processions of Semana Santa. These processions are held for the entire week an they are out on by different brotherhoods that citizens belong to. Each brotherhood has a procession. And here comes the crazy part: They carry floats, and not just any floats. They are massive floats holding on too the statues of the Virgin Mary and Jesus for. The Cathedral and churches themselves. The even crazier part is there is a group of people who carry them, the WHOLE thing.

In Guatemala these processions are also big and people balance the weight of the giant float on their shoulders. Not in Spain though, they have a specific head dress-wrap that allows them to balance the weight on the back of their heads. Yeah, ow. It's pretty impressive and you could even see people blessing themselves and touched the float it was an amazing tradition to see! I would have felt like I missed out if I did not get to see that while studying here. Amidst all that the Kalil boys got pretty cultured as we saw the Alhambra, hiked and got all the food essentials (gelato, pastries, fruit, shwarma, etc.).

 

An even cooler part to the week was that the boys got to come for my birthday! Having your birthday in Spain with your family isn´t too shabby! After the hustle and bustle of Granada (which during Semana Santa looks like a Disney theme park on a Saturday) we headed to Torremolinos where the beach and weather was perfect. We got to explore the harbor and even went to the local Battery Park to ride around in a row boat in a pond they had. We weren't tourists or anything! Getting to see Malaga also was great because I have so far really only seen the airport. The cathedral was unreal and even the Semana Santa in Malaga had it's own Wifi (in Spanish pronounced "weefee" way cuter!). That's when you know Holy Week is serious.

It was awesome getting to show the Kalil boys Granada and what has become my home in the past 2 moths. This past week has been some of my favorite memories here so far and I can't wait for more to come. Speaking of which guess who heads to Africa this weekend, this girl!

Facebook: Candice Kalil

Twitter: @CandiceLeeMary
Instagram: candicekalil31