Pre-Departure & Housing Update
Housing Update
The housing saga continues… Right before Christmas I got an email from the program that a bunch of host families have been pulling out because of COVID (ugh!), and unfortunately, my host mom opted out. But, there was another option and they found a spot for me in a residence! I think of it as a mix between a dorm and an apartment: I’ll have my own room and then will share a bathroom with Gillian (she’s from BC and we would’ve been in the same homestay!). I still am provided with three meals a day.
Of course I’m bummed because I was so so excited about living with a host family, but I think this is a good option and will let me meet more Spaniards who are my age! (And, it’s not like I’m being thrown out on my own in a solo apartment, which is great.) The residence is called Colegio Mayor Santo Domingo, and it’s super close to my campus. About 15-20 other Spanish women will live there (in their own rooms). The program director described it as a place where Spanish women live when they go to the University of Granada but aren’t from the area. I think this is definitely a good solution, and I’ll add some pictures right below:)
And, if you want to test out your Spanish, here’s the website: https://www.cmsantodomingo.es
Pre-Departure Essentials
At the risk of sounding like an annoying blogger, I figured this next section would be useful for any of my friends who haven’t left for abroad yet (or, idk, my future kids maybe? hahaha). I know that there are normal stores in Spain and Europe of course, but I felt like it would be a good idea to buy a bunch of things that I use a lot that I won’t be able to get (certain brands, products, etc). And, since I’m a BIG ~planner~, it’s just a given that I’ll be bringing ~extras~. My full list is:
Toiletries & Hygiene
extra toothbrush heads: I’ll have to change it in March
ALL of my contacts: obviously I use these every day; I’ll probably have one of my visitors bring my refills:)
contact solution: giant size and travel size for my trips
toothpaste + an extra: yes, I can get toothpaste over there, but surprise surprise, I like a very specific kind
razor refills: again, I like my specific kind and it’s a subscription service, so I had to stockpile
extra floss: same thing as with the toothpaste🤪
HAUL of makeup wipes: these are the only makeup wipes that I like and that don’t irritate my skin, so I STOCKED up
whitening strips: my teeth need to be looking their best for the 1000s of pictures I’ll be showing my children someday
glasses cleaner: my Mimi got me a little device for cleaning glasses that’s super tiny so it’s perfect for traveling (I’m notorious for having super dirty glasses)
Beauty
dry shampoo: I wanted to try out a really good brand for dark hair and figured my hair will get greasy by the time I get there:)
deodorant + extra: again, I like a specific kind and I’ll need it right away
travel size shampoo + conditioner CONTAINERS: I won’t have to rush to a store before I take my first post-flight shower, and I can refill these containers when I go on trips
Burt’s bees x3: my favorite kind of chapstick, and if you know me, you know I will never borrow anyone else’s chapstick so I need to be stocked
extra skincare: I’m almost to the end of 5/6 skincare products, so I bought all new ones so they’ll last me the whole semester and I don’t have to worry about international shipping
Medications
allergy pills: I have RAGING seasonal allergies
multi-vitamins: I didn’t wanna have to deal with finding a multi-vitamin in Spanish and apparently I have multiple vitamin deficiencies so I should probably be taking them immediately❤️
iron supplements: I have about 0 iron in my blood and need extra strength ones that my doctor recommended🤸🏼♂️
ibuprofen: I want to make sure I have some, and admittedly just don’t want to have to figure out which Spanish brands are the best
midol: works like a charm, don’t wanna be without it
azo + monistat: honestly wouldn't have thought of these two before I saw them at Target; probably won’t need them but good to have just in case
Electronics Etc.
outlet converters: I’m bringing A LOT (I got the “Europe” kind, and guess I’ll just have to buy some when I go to the UK because apparently they have different outlets..?)
portable charger: figured this would be good for when I’m out and about and can’t really afford to have my phone die
polaroid film in BULK: I don’t know where I’d get film for my polaroid, so I bought Target’s multipack of 60 pieces of film, I hope that’s enough:)
mechanical pencils + lead + erasers: I broke most of my good pencils, so I figured now was the perfect time to get some new ones before I go
eye mask + ear plugs: I’m sure most of you know, but I’m a very light sleeper. and I don’t know what my curtain situation will be. plus, my eye mask is from Lexy’s wedding so Lex, I’ll smile and think of you each night:)
mini stapler: Lexy got me this as a super sweet gift along with some journals. I’ll use it so I can easily keep track of ticket stubs, business cards, little artifacts etc that I want to keep. she also got me a cute little “Cards For Keeps” journal, so I’ll put them in there!
