Only 4 Months Left

The end of January marked the half way point of my job as a Language Assistant in Valencia. I have very mixed emotions at this fact as it's no secret that my year abroad hasn't been what I expected it to be so far. I felt relief that in four months I will have finished in Spain and will be going on to live in France for three months which doesn't seem as daunting as I feel that my French is much stronger than my Spanish despite being here for four months already due to everyone speaking to me in English. On the other hand I also feel slightly sad that the 'best year of your life' and the best experience of a languages degree will be over and I will be back at university for final year. However, I feel very proud with what I have overcome in the last 4 months.

A month or two ago I would have happily given it up and gone back to England and even though so parts of me still feel this way, it is down to the fantastic school I was placed in which has made me really enjoy my days and lessons in the school. Despite the British Council saying that we shouldn't teach students on our own, my school let me and I am so glad they do as my timetable has now changed and I have two lessons where I stand around and act as a human dictionary. These two classes are so boring and I much prefer teaching the students on my own as I get to know them better, have a laugh and they ask so many questions about myself and England. Plus they have to speak in English more and it makes me proud seeing how far they have come since October. A highlight for me was when I finished having classes with an ESO3 group who all gave me a note telling me how much they have enjoyed me teaching them and it does give me a great sense of accomplishment.

I have also been living completely independent in a foreign country. I have figured out how to get around the city, cooked more, learnt how to use a washing machine, open a bank account and learnt how to manage my money on my own. I am more confident than I was before this experience and have realised my listening skills have improved much more than I thought as I understand 90% of what people say to me, even if I can't respond.

I started this experience full of excitement for travelling and a life that didn't come and even though I cannot wait to be back at home in England, I am proud of how far I have come in four months and hope that the next four will provide me with the same feeling.