Facts & "Q's and A's"

Before I begin posting about my escapades, I thought it would be a good idea to let everyone (or at least those that are reading this) know a few important details about myself, this blog, and this trip.

Important Facts:

• Warning: I will be using a lot of Spanish vocabulary in these posts. Please make friends with Google Translate! It'll be good for you, I promise!
• My name is Kaitlin Hope ******* (I decided I wouldn't use my last name as a precautionary measure).
• Hope translates into Esperanza in the Spanish language, hence the Kaitlin Esperanza bit.
• I am a senior at the University of Oklahoma (normally).
• I am taking classes at la Universidad de Granada for the fall semester.
• I leave from the US on Sunday, August 28 and will arrive in Granada the following evening.
• I will return to the US on Wednesday, December 21.
• While I'm abroad, I will be taking 17 credit hours, all of which will be taught in Spanish and all of which will pertain to furthering my understanding and reading, writing, and speaking skills of the Spanish language.
• I will be staying in an apartment, off campus, with another student (and friend) from OU.  
• When I refer to CEA, I am talking about the members and/or staff of the program that I chose to study abroad with. It stands for Cultural Experiences Abroad.

Here are the answers to some questions I am sure many of you are dying ask:

• Yes, I am going to slip into a minor depression every Saturday, and sometimes Sunday (time difference), when the Sooners are playing a home game and I am not able to sit in the stands and cheer for my team with my best friend, Parker.
•  Yes, I am going to miss my nephews terribly. Though they don't know it yet, my sister, mother, father, and brother are going to do their very very best to help the boys Skype with me at least once a week.
• Yes, I do plan on traveling around Europe and seeing as much and as many places as possible while I'm abroad. Right now my 'for sure musts' are: Italy, England, France, and as much of Spain as possible. My 'wish list' consists of: Ireland, Scotland, and Greece.
• Yes, I am nervous! Who wouldn't be? I'm going to live in a foreign country for nearly four months! There will be new cultures, new foods, new friends, a new school, a new apartment, and a new roommate thrown at me all at once! But, I'm ready for anything!
• No, I am not scared. This trip has been prepared for and planned to the T by my study abroad program, CEA, by OU Education Abroad, and by myself. I feel completely secure in spending time abroad.
• No, I have no clue how they expect me to move to Spain with only two medium sized suitcases. Yeah... Right.
• Yes, I would love to Skype with everyone! Just message me on Facebook and we'll set a Skype date! Just know that I am 7 hours ahead of US central time so it may be tricky. Also, my study abroad advisors advised me not to Skype too much because it can cause homesickness. So if not a Skype date, then maybe a quick Facebook chat!
• Yes, I do want you to comment on my posts! Otherwise, I'll think no one is reading them, thus no one cares, and then I'll be less inclined to post them. I'm doing this for you guys!
• Lastly... Absolutely yes, you may send me a care package! Just message me on Facebook and I'll get you my address ;)

Well, I hope this helped with any questions you may have had. If I missed something, feel free to contact me! Till next time,
Con Amor,
Kaitlin Esperanza