Pre-departure Preparation and Planning

This summer has been filled with piles of paperwork and a rollercoaster of emotions as I've gotten myself ready to head to Spain for the next eight months. Despite the less glamorous aspects of moving to another country (that no one seems to mention after they're home), I am beyond excited to meet my students, practice my conversational skills, and make so, so many cheese boards. I know that all the stress, nerves, and uncertainty I've felt since June will be well worth it once I'm there.

As soon as I graduated from college I jumped right into getting everything set for my visa application process. This was a daunting task from the start due to the lack of consistent information we were given and the laundry list of requirements needed for the appointment. Federal background check, apostille (new word for me), medical certificate, consulate, and others, are all words my poor family and friends had to hear more times than I can count. I felt inundated with checkmarks to hit just in order to have the proper paperwork to apply for a visa appointment. And my visa could still not be in my hands up to six weeks from that point...

Needless to say, the tight timeline, and my lack of agency in speeding things along, was something that was constantly on the back of my mind. Throughout my summer job farming on Cape Cod, whirlwind weekend trips, and trying to squeeze in every minute of time with friends and family, the visa issue was always looming.

One of Coonamessett Farm's baby goats

I had known previously that government "stuff" takes a while, but it felt like a lifetime waiting for my background check to get apostillized (essentially getting a seal of approval telling Spain's government that my document is valid) by the US Department of State. The only thing within my power to make things happen quicker was to contact my House of Representatives Rep and request that the document be expedited. Thankfully, Joe Courtney and his staffers were willing to help me out and they made it happen.

The apostille was the last piece of paperwork I was waiting on before my visa appointment. With that in my possession, I was ready to make the trek to NYC to pay the Spanish consulate a visit. I won't even begin my rant about requesting an appointment with the consulate as many of you have been subjected to that already...sorry!

My college friend Liv and her mom graciously offered for me to stay the night with them on Long Island before my appointment, cutting my travel time to the city from 3 hours, to 50 minutes. Also, I will jump at any chance to turn a "work" trip into a time to hang out with friends who don't live close and this was the perfect opportunity! Our friend Nina joined us for the night and the three of us drank some wine, got all caught up, and doted on Liv's new puppy.

Precious Tully!!

The next day we were met with 90 degree weather, making for some pretty sweaty treks to and from Grand Central. I thankfully had all my paperwork and was in and out of the consulate in about 45 minutes. With a date my visa would be ready I could finally book my flight to Spain! Slowly, my trip was beginning to feel more and more real.

The next stage in my preparation process, after buying my plane ticket, was a return trip to NYC. This time I went just for the day so I could pick up my passport (visa included) and spend some time with Liv and our friend Emily. Pro tip: go to college at a SUNY school so you always have friends within day-trip distance of NYC who can turn a boring trip into a mini reunion.

With my visa finally in my possession, the three of us spent the afternoon getting a private tour of Columbia (thanks Liv!) and fueling up on SweetGreen. After saying our goodbyes and making plans for winter break, I hopped back on the train and made it to Mystic just in time for my sister Megan's 20th birthday celebration.

Unfortunately during this second trip to NYC, I think I was exposed to COVID because three days later, I started feeling quite ill and tested positive. I was bummed, feeling physically pretty poorly, and extremely nervous I had spread the virus to my grandparents and family. We had been on a lovely visit in Maine when I tested positive and I was so worried that everyone else would come down with it to. Thankfully however, everyone in the Detwiler clan remained healthy and COVID free!

Being relegated to my room to isolate from my family was a disappointing way to spend part of my last week in the States but it did help me get organized. I began packing a lot earlier than I would of if I had been free to roam around my hometown. I also feel more comfortable traveling internationally knowing I have three months (ish) of protection. After my quarantine was up, my mom and I celebrated my release with a wonderful coastal bike ride on one of the most beautiful days I've seen all summer.

Having everything ready to go and being in contact with the other new conversation assistants in my town, really helped to keep my nerves down as my trip got closer. I think that my experience studying abroad in Granada, Spain also calmed me since I have an idea of what to expect when I arrive.

As I finish this post I am waiting at my gate in Logan airport about to board my flight to Madrid! I am so excited to see what this adventure holds for me and to make the most of my time in Spain. Here's to eight months of exploring!!