The document describes the author's most memorable year, which was spent studying abroad in Madrid, Spain from August 2010 to May 2011. Some key experiences included excursions to Segovia and Lisbon with her program, falling in love with Spanish culture, taking art classes and visiting museums, experiencing the Christmas markets in Madrid, teaching English lessons to Spanish families, traveling to other parts of Spain as well as Paris and Holland, and graduating from the Universidad Complutense de Madrid. The year abroad helped shape the author's adventurous and outgoing personality.

1. El año más memorable de mi vida…
The most memorable
year of my life…
Madrid, Spain Erin Jolk

2. Llegué a Madrid, España en el mes de agosto de 2010 lista para aprovechar nuevas experiencias,
hacerme nuevos amigos, viajar, y aprender todo lo posible!
I arrived in Madrid, Spain in August of 2010 ready to take advantage of new experiences, make
new friends, travel, and learn everything possible!

3. Estudié allí con el programa internacional de California State. Había estudiantes de las 23
universidades del estado en California. Estás son fotos de nuestra primera excursión a Segovia en
España.
I studied there with the California State International program. There were students from the 23
California State universities. These are pictures from our first excursion to Segovia in Spain!

4. Pero, una persona solo puede estudiar tanto hasta que necesita un descanso para
relejarse! En septiembre, me fui con amigas en mi programa a Lisboa en Portugal. Es un ciudad
bonita con monumentos grandes, playas preciosas, y pasteles super ricos!
But, a person can only study so much until they need a break to relax! In September, I went
with my girlfriends in the program to Lisbon in Portugal. It’s a beautiful city with grand monumen
pretty beaches, and super tasty treats!

5. En los próximos meses, me enamoré de todas las cosas españoles. Hice amigos divertidísimos,
exploré más de la ciudad, y disfruté la oportunidad de viajar más con mi programa.
In the next few months, I kept falling in love with all things Spanish! I made super fun friends,
explored the city more, and enjoyed the opportunity of traveling more with my program.

6. En Madrid, tomé muchas clases de humanidades, como la literatura y la poesía.
Pero, las favoritas mías eran las del arte. Hay muchos museos españoles fantásticos y pasé mucho
tiempo durante los fines de semana pasando por los pasillos grandes llenos de pinturas famosas.
In Madrid, I took a lot of humanities classes, like literature and poetry. But, my favorite
were art classes. There are many fantastic Spanish museums and I spent a great deal of time
on the weekends passing through the halls full of famous paintings.

7. El més de diciembre en Madrid es mágico. La ciudad está llena de luces para hacer brillar los barrios
diferentes por las noches. También, hay muchos mercados en las plazas para celebrar las navidades.
Me parecía similar a la atracción “It’s A Small World” de Disneylandia.
The month of December in Madrid is magical. The city
is full of lights to brighten the different neighborhoods at night!
There are also a lot of Christmas markets in the plazas to celebrate Christmas. To me, it
looked similar to the attraction “It’s a Small World” at Disneyland.

8. Sí , era estudiante, pero también, era maestra! Daba lecciones de ingles a cuatro familias españolas.
Cada semana, pasé tiempo con estudiantes españoles que querían aprender y mejorar su ingles.
Juntos, hablábamos de todas cosas: las diferencias y similitudes entre las dos culturas, familia,
amigos, y más. Ahora, considero a ellos mis segundas familias y todavía hablo con ellos muchísimo!
Yes, I was a student, but I was also a teacher! I gave English lessons to four Spanish families.
Each week, I spent time with Spanish students who wanted to learn and improve their English.
Together, we would talk about everything: the differences and similarities between the two cultures,
family, friends, and more. Now, I consider them my second families and I still talk to them a lot!

9. La primavera me trajo aun más experiencias y viajes. Pasé mi cumpleaños en Paris y Holanda.
También, me fui a varias partes de España para ver más la cultura española. Mi ciudad favorita
en España es Sevilla. Cada año, se celebran con Las Ferias, cual es una feria donde se visten super
bien todas las personas y los chicos pueden divertirse con las montaña rusas.
The spring brought me even more experiences and travels. I spent my birthday in Paris and
Holland. I also went to different parts of Spain to see more of the Spanish culture. My favorite
city in Spain is Sevilla. Each year, they celebrate with Las Ferias, which is a fair where the people
dress up very nicely and the children can have fun with the roller coasters.

10. En el mes de mayo, me gradué de la Universidad Complutense de Madrid! Celebré con buenas
tapas y buena conversación con todos mis profesores. Tuvimos nuestra última cena con el programa
y entonces tuve que decir adiós a mis queridos españoles y país favorito.
In the month of may, I graduated from la Universidad Complutense de Madrid! I celebrated with
good tapas and good conversation with all of my professors. We had our last dinner with the
program and then I had to say goodbye to my dear Spaniards and favorite country.

11. Para que sepas…
 I decided to put together this power point of pictures from my year
abroad because my experiences both in Spain and in Europe can tell
you a lot about the person I am! I have a very adventurous and “go-
getter” spirit and I love new experiences. I have a very outgoing and
spunky personality and enjoy meeting new people. I’m positive,
optimistic, and love to build other people up. In terms of a
connection to camp, we need to nurture an environment that is FUN
and where kids can get their summer energy out! My experiences
abroad were my type of FUN and I always look forward to bringing
those memories to other people.  Muchas gracias and I look
forward to talking to you soon!