As much as I love, love, love my adventures here in Spain, we all get sentimental at times. Now that I am on the other side of the world, I have gained some perspective. So, here is a list of everything that I have learned so far:
#1 Home isn't a place, it's a feeling, and the more the merrier. I find that wherever I am in the world I always find myself a new family, some as small as one person, others as large as sixty, but all equally beautiful and important. It's always nice to know that wherever you go in the world you'll have a warm embrace and smiling faces to keep you company.
#2 Don't compare, everything is different. Nothing is ever exactly the same, and as long as you recognize that every second is new experience, you'll be fine in a different world. However if you expect familiarity in everything, you'll never be pleased. (Also that's super boring.)
#3 You begin to appreciate random things that you forget made you happy back home. Yeah, this can super important things like an "I love you" from your mother as you head to school, but also these things can be incredibly average. Something like...your dog, who greets you whenever you come home with more, and more excitement every time. Something you took for granted, but can be what you miss most of all.
#4 Don't pay attention to every single mistake you make. Yeah, when speaking a new language you are bound to make mistakes, but as long as you realize that no one's going to care 30 seconds later, you are free to make as many as you want. You're actually supposed to.
#5 Something that I always have to remind myself of is that, this is still real life. Yeah, I may be in one of the most beautiful places in the world, but that doesn't mean that I won't have a day(s) now and then that I feel I am a complete failure and I can't do anything. You just have to realize that every day is a great conquest, and you have to celebrate every one that you conquer. Sh*t can be hard, that's just life. Don't sweat it.