I don’t remember exactly when it was. But it must have been my second semester of sophomore year at Loyola Marymount University (LMU) when the idea of studying abroad came into my purview. What I do remember vividly, is walking past one of the Administrative Buildings and there was a sign outside. The sign read something like “Check out our Study Abroad Program.” I think I might have read something about it in the School Newspaper as well. I had never considered going abroad during my college years. But I thought it sounded exciting. I was going into my 3rd year of 4 at LMU, so I walked into the Study Abroad Office and starting asking questions.

The options were many, though I don’t remember exactly what countries LMU had exchange programs with at the time, but since I spoke Spanish fluently, I decided to look into the Madrid program. I learned that LMU had a partnership for a Study Abroad semester at St. Louis University in Madrid. It is also a Catholic, Jesuit-run university, like LMU. I didn’t know if I could honestly do it. During college I was living at home, only 3 blocks from the University! I had never lived away from home, but I was just so drawn to the experience, and I started looking into it.

I had two best girlfriends that were also considering studying abroad. Both of them did go first semester junior year. One, my very best friend, Maureen ended up in Madrid and the other Loraine went to Germany, I believe. Loraine came back at the end of that semester. Maureen, in a last minute decision, stayed on one more semester, therefore, she and I could be roommates! That was ideal. I had someone to live with, study with and party with!

I learned that my scholarship would cover most of the costs including tuition, room and board if I went to Madrid to study there. I was on a full scholarship at LMU. But I would need to take out a small loan in order to cover some incidental costs like travel. I really started looking into it in earnest that first semester of my junior year. I attended meetings and workshops and spoke to my family. My parents were hesitant at first, but surprisingly supportive.

The University Financial Aid office helped me with the process including applying for the loan. It was early in the school year that everything started coming together. Airline tickets were researched, enrollment was initiated and housing was requested. Much of this was done directly by the University in Madrid. They assisted with finding families for the students coming to study there and since Maureen was staying on, she talked to the University Dean and her host family, and was able to get me a room with her.

If you’ve kept up with my Blog postings, you will recall that my one and only brother passed away in an airplane accident in late October 1979. Initially, I’m not sure I even thought about the upcoming semester in Madrid, Spain. But once we got home from collecting him in Mexico City and arranging the funeral, I returned to my classes at LMU. A decision had to be made quickly if I was going to continue with my plan of studying abroad in January, 1980. Everything was already set in motion.

I don’t know how my parents allowed me to travel halfway around the world on an airplane only two months after their son had passed away in an airplane accident. But, they did. I was so set on going, and honestly, thinking back on it now, I do think it was an escape outlet for me. Being away from home, I didn’t deal with the grief in quite the same way as my family did back home. I was in a foreign country, living on my own for the first time. I didn’t end up dealing with the grief for a number of years after my return home from Spain. But that’s another story for another day.

Everything moved very quickly at this point. It was maybe mid to late November, I don’t remember exactly. My flight was made for January 1, 1980. I would fly to New York City’s JFK Airport, stay the night and fly directly to Madrid the following day. In an interesting twist of fate, I stayed at a hotel at JFK Airport where I would later live with my first husband! But I digress. Was I nervous flying? Yes, I most certainly was. But the excitement far outweighed the nerves. Arriving in Madrid, Maureen met me there and we took a taxi back to our temporary home away from home.

It was a large apartment where two sisters lived, located just a few blocks from Plaza España. Where, interestingly enough, my hotel is located on my upcoming Spain tour. The apartment was separated into two sections. Their private residence was behind a locked door and in the other part of the apartment were three bedrooms, one bathroom and a small kitchen. The three bedrooms housed two young ladies, one an American student in high school and the other a Spanish young lady who was a bit older than us and worked, I believe. I don’t really remember. In the largest of the three bedrooms, Maureen and I shared two twin beds, a dresser and a large closet.

We lived a little ways from the school campus, but it was within walking distance. Perhaps a 30 – 40 minute walk or so? We could take a subway or a bus, but we usually walked. It was January when I arrived and quite cold. Before leaving the USA, my father gave me my own American Express card on his account for emergencies. Boy, did I have a few emergencies during my 6 month stay (HA HA). I’m not sure my parents would agree that my expenditures were all emergencies, but it all worked out.

I received money from my scholarship every month. I just don’t remember how it was done. I believe I received the money at a local bank to cover my miscellaneous expenses since tuition, room and board were paid by LMU directly to St. Louis University Madrid. Remember this was 1980, before cell phones and computers and laptops. Maybe the facsimile (FAX) machine was around back then, but I don’t recall exactly. In order to call home, and since it was a long distance call, we had to go down to the Phone Company office. The operators would make the call for us and the call would be sent to a phone booth inside the office area. Imagine that!

I also kept in touch with family and friends back home by mail. Yes, snail mail. I sent postcards on a regular basis, especially when I traveled. And I wrote to my mother frequently. I’ve always loved writing, and letters were a way to share my experiences and keep in touch. It was easy, even though it wasn’t fast. This time when I’m back in Spain, I will be traveling with a cell phone and a tablet. Communicating will be very easy & instant: a quick text and photo, an email. And, of course, writing in this Blog!

Speaking of which, how did this Blog post come about today? I’m headed to Spain and Portugal on a Tour next week. And it got me thinking about the last (and only) time I was on the Iberian Peninsula. Yes, it was 1980. That semester I spent studying abroad at St. Louis University Madrid. It was a great time in my life I learned to live on my own. I learned to travel alone. I learned to drink Gin… well, not alone for sure! I was 20 years old at the time. In the USA that was underage for drinking. In Spain, college students were served alcohol in bars and nightclubs. And, yes, my friends and I frequented local bars, restaurants and nightclubs. I wasn’t much of a drinker before then, well not at all really. Remember, in California I was underage.

One of the drinks I was served in one of our favorite bars was a Gin and Lemon. The bartender would bring the bottle of Gin and a bottle of a fizzy lemon soda directly to our table, I think it might have been Fanta. It was served in a tall glass, full of ice and the Gin was served “free pour”, there was no measuring the amount. Again, recall I wasn’t a drinker, but I really liked this drink. To this day, my favorite liquor is Gin and also Tequila. I don’t recall what brand of Gin I was served all those years ago. But I did love the sour taste of the Gin and Lemon, much like a Tom Collins. That’s why I love Margaritas so much (the sour taste). I’ve always been told that Gin is an old man’s drink. I don’t know about that. I just know it’s what I like. I look forward to getting a Gin and Lemon when I visit Madrid. It’ll bring back great, fun memories.

Look, I don’t want you to think my stay in Madrid, Spain was all about drinking, not at all. But I was 20, away from home and trying hard to push my grief over losing my brother into some hidden place in my mind and my heart. It worked… for a time. More on that later.

While in Spain, I did travel some. Mostly alone. I saw a bit of Spain and Portugal, all on train. I also went to Lyons, France, Paris and Rome. I think that’s about it. I didn’t have much time during the school semester, but I did take a few long weekend trips and the University arranged a bus trip over Spring/Easter break to Alicante for Carnaval. And after school was out, in the summer, I traveled for about a month, and then headed home.

It was a great time of my life. Every time I’ve had the opportunity since then, I have encouraged college students (family and kids of friends) to study abroad. Two of my nephews both studied abroad in Europe. Don’t overthink it, do it!

Now, back to my upcoming trip to Europe. I’m very much looking forward to seeing the cities again that I visited previously (Madrid, Lisbon, Sevilla, Salamanca) and to visiting cities that I never got to (Barcelona, Porto, Fátima, Valencia). I will definitely be writing about that throughout my trip. Stay tuned.