Spain: Dealing with a Loss

Submitted by Nicole Caracciolo on the 2019 fall semester study abroad program in Barcelona, Spain…

On Monday evening, I received the news that my dog had passed away at home. It was a phone call I never expected and never wanted to hear while I was so far away. It was by far the worst night I have had since I’ve been here. I was absolutely devastated because she was our dog for 14 years and I left for Spain not knowing that was the last time I would see her. My roommates were really supportive and even bought me some ice cream to try and cheer me up a bit. I wasn’t myself for a few days. I was quiet, not in the mood to socialize much, and was easily flustered or frustrated when something went wrong. This was definitely, and hopefully will be, the greatest challenge for me here.

Some of my friends and I went kayaking in Costa Brava over the weekend. We got to kayak through beautiful coves and snorkel in some of the reefs.