10 Days

Today is my tenth day in Spain. With that in mind, I thought I would make a blog post and give everyone a little check-in.

Everything here is going well for me. I have a lot of friends and everyone seems to know about me, even before I meet them. Although the town I'm living in seems to be big to me, I guess it's not really that different from what I'm used to on the Maine coast, where everyone knows all the major gossip and words spread quick.

Yesterday, I met the most lovely woman! My sister and I went this woman's work, she works in a center that teaches English. She and her husband are also Rotarians. She is going to be my tutor and it was really nice to talk to her. I look forward to more meetings with her in the near future after my first Rotary International orientation in Madrid (on September 11th) I can't wait!

Two days ago, I went to Madrid center with about fifteen friends and we went to a mall. It was really fun. We had a great time, and I got in my quick Starbucks fix... Life is good.

One thing that I was really nervous about at first before I came to Spain was the food, but I love it here! Everything is so delicious! Mom and dad, I am trying new things! Can you believe it?

In so many ways, my life here is completely different from in America, but I am starting to notice things that I think are just universal... For examples, behaviors.

I love my host family! I'm pretty sure they like me, we laugh a lot. I make a lot of speech mistakes, but that is expected. My family is so hospitable and my sister and friends keep me busy with plenty of events to go to.

Hoping all is well with all my family, friends, and readers.

Xoxo, Hana

First Few Days In Spain

For some reason, not sure why, I have been a little hesitant about writing in my blog. Tomorrow will be the one week mark since I left home... Boy, what a week this has been!

I had a series of three flights to get to Spain. From Portland to Detroit, Detroit to Amsterdam, and Amsterdam to Madrid. I really had no airport trouble, which was nice. My first flight was nice, I sat next to an "elderly" man whose son is a Rotarian... Go figure! He was really nice and we talked and I did some word searches and the soon enough I was in Detroit. Once I was off the plane I had about thirty minutes to find my next gate. I was successful in finding it quickly, then made one last call to my dad, and boarded the plane. The plane ride for my over seas flight was by far my favorite! It was so cool! I watched "Ferris Bueller's Day Off" (Dad, I hope you're proud) and I listened to some music and enjoyed the flight.

Next came the Amsterdam airport, and yes, it is big. Although, I went through security, and found my gate with ease. While in line for a security check, I saw two girls with Rotary blazers on, we exchanged glances and I got out of my line, walked up to them and asked them where they were from and where they were going. They were from Ecuador and couldn't really pronounce where they were going. They were really nice though. We exchanged business cards, and pins, and went our separate ways. I couldn't help but feel a little envious because those two girls we traveling together as buddies and I was alone. Shortly after I saw two girls with Rotary blazers holding hands and running to an exit. Looking back on it, I'm glad I had the experience of traveling alone because I learned a lot.

The flight from Amsterdam to Madrid was definitely the worst flight for me. I was overtired and uncomfortable, and desperate for something wholesome and fresh to eat. It went by quickly though and soon enough I was in Madrid!

I have been in Spain for five days now, and it's everything and nothing like I had imagined. Sometimes it's hard for me, communicating and dealing with missing home... Other times, there is no place I would rather be!

Today, my friend told me, "Hana, you had stay in spain little time but I love so much and you are very very nice and agreeable"... I am so happy with all the friends I have made here. The Spanish have been very friendly so far! This is going to be a great year for sure!

Sending all my love the the U.S.A. ... Hoping you all are well!

Xoxo, Hana

Getting Ready To Go

So much has been going in my life, it's crazy. Recently, I went to Massachusetts and made my personal appearance at the Spanish Consulate. Everything went smoothly with going to get my visa. They told me that it should arrive at my house around the 19th of August. However, much to my surprise, it came August 14th! Right after I heard that my visa had arrived at my house I e-mailed Sabrina from Bokoff Kaplan and I leave in nine days. August 25th I fly away to Spain, although I won't get there until the 26th.

I am so excited to go to Spain, but I'm starting to get a little nervous, only because I don't know what to expect... That's the fun part! Just a little nerve racking too... Oh well! My time left in the states is short so I'm trying to see everyone and say goodbyes. I just wanted to include a special thanks to all my family members from far away that have come to visit me and say bye to me this summer. It has been a great summer and I hope everyone keeps reading the blog over the year.

Xoxo, Hana

Time Flies!

These past few months, I have found much truth in the saying time flies when you're having fun! I finished my sophomore year at Camden Hills this Friday. It was very bittersweet for me, and I'm going to miss all of the great teachers there next year.

Our final outbound orientation is coming up soon! As always, I'm very excited!

A week or two ago, Taylor, Molly, and I visited for a Camden Rotary club meeting and spoke to their members. It was a great experience and I loved talking with everyone there! Some of the older members are quite witty and funny and I really liked spending that hour or so with them, and seeing how a real Rotary meeting works. One of my favorite things at the meeting was the happy dollar/ or sad dollar into the basket time. I was SO happy that a few happy dollars were given on behalf of Taylor, Molly, and I. At the end Kim gave all three of us a little Camden Rotary club banner and it's hanging on my bedroom door! I love it! I felt a total sense of accomplishment after receiving that. I felt like: Wow! I'm really doing this! This is really exciting, and all these people here are supporting ME! ... I can't speak highly enough of every Rotarian I have met. Everyone has been so helpful, and I can't wait to speak with everyone again when I return home.

Recently, I've been getting a lot of advice for my exchange. "Enjoy it!", "Try everything!", "This experience will change you're life!". I hear it a lot! The other night, I was at a small restaurant/ cafe and the man at the bar noticed that I was talking about going to Spain. He was just 21 years old and had recently returned from a 6 month stay in Spain. His advice on foods to try and places to consider visiting were also really nice to hear! It was a different sort of advice from someone younger who had been to the country, and even though I know that I am part of an exchange and my experience is going to be unique, the information that he shared was still pretty cool and nice to hear.

I spoke with my host sister a few days ago and decided to take Latin and Greek in my new Spanish school (Isaac Peral). I love Latin and thought that maybe adding more languages would be a little bit easier than trying to figure out what my biology and economics homework says when the information is in Spanish... I have enough trouble understanding the english version of some of the biology terms we learn in class already! Let alone in Spanish! Ah! ...So Latin and Greek it is! (We'll see how that goes).

I'm really excited for Spain and praying that my guarantee form comes very very soon! If anyone reading this knows anything about my guarantee form, please contact me! Gracias!

P.S. HAPPY FATHER'S DAY TO MY DAD! (I love you!)

Xoxo, Hana

News from my future host family!

¡Hola! Today something super exciting happened. As I was in my school library checking my e-mail I noticed a new message from Jose Alberto and the subject was "host family". I was super excited as I read the message from... My future host dad! He told me a little bit about his wife and three kids and what he does for work. He seems really nice and welcoming! The only bummer is that HE FORGOT TO TELL ME WHERE HE LIVES! So I'm planning on writing him back and sending and asking for pictures and of course- what city they live in.
I'll update my blog as soon as I hear back!

Xoxo, Hana

Preparing for Spain

Hey Everybody! I'm Hana Berke, and this is my new blog! This August I leave for Spain as an outbound with the Rotary Youth Exchange Program. Keep checking my blog for more information as my date of departure draws near!

Xoxo, Hana