Hola!

This is my very first post and a surprisingly nerve-wracking moment. I should probably start by introducing myself. My name is Clare. Hello.

I've decided to start this blog to track my progress and document my thoughts/ideas/expectations as I prepare for, embark on and return home from an international student exchange to Spain.

 The plan at this stage;

Leave Australia in mid December and travel for a few weeks before beginning six months of study at the Universidad de Leon in Spain. I'm hoping to stay with a host family for at least three of these months  so as to make stronger connections, truly immerse myself in Spanish culture and develop my (currently shaky) language skills. After my university placement, I will hopefully visit some relatives in the UK before starting a short tour of Europe with two of my girl friends from Australia. I'll then return home at the end of July 2012 ready to start the final semester of my degree.

There is still so much to do before I can even leave the country, and I'll be posting all the ups and downs of each stage of the journey here! There's so much more I can write, but it will have to wait for now.

Hasta lluego, Clare xx