My Arrival To The US!

Let’s rewind to January 4, 2024 – the day before my journey to the United States began, marking the start of my exchange program. With all my life packed in a suitcase and nerves running high, the moment arrived to say good-bye to all my loved ones, my friends, and especially my family. It’s hard to put into words how I felt; it was my first time leaving Europe, living on my own, and being far away from my family for an extended period. A mix of fear, sadness, and excitement enveloped me.

After a bit of dramatic welfare with my family in the airport of Barcelona, as I boarded the plane, my journey officially started. It was the longest flight I have ever taken but it was definitely worth it; after many hours and some stopovers, I finally landed at John F. Kennedy International Airport in New York, where I spent the night. I still couldn’t believe it – I was in the US!

The next day, after a well-deserved rest from the long journey, my classmate and best friend Alexane and I explored the streets of New York City just before heading to Philly, which was going to be our new home. The towering skyscrapers caught our attention immediately, creating a picturesque cityscape. To be honest, I’ve always had a soft spot for skylines, and I have never seen something like this.

After a quick tour of the bustling city of New York, we took a bus to Philadelphia, where we settled into a residence near Drexel.

Constantine N. Papadakis Integrated Sciences Building (PISB)

The initial days were indeed a bit challenging as we had to adapt to the cold weather (way colder than the sunny Spanish days), buy everything we needed, and prepare for our classes here in our new university. Thankfully, Drexel had our backs with a mandatory orientation to prepare ourselves, as well as they also organized a pizza party, a fantastic opportunity to meet other exchange students with whom I clicked instantly.

Amidst all the chaos, I now feel grounded in the city, just like any other student. I’ve toured the campus, went to the gym, made new friends, got the hang of my classes, and even decorated my room! Honestly, Drexel seems like an incredible university where I can learn and engage in numerous activities yet to be explored. The campus is amazing, I’m thrilled to be here.

To end my first blog, I will let you know that I haven’t had the chance to visit Philadelphia yet – as you’ve seen, time has been a luxury. However, I am excited to do so, and once I do, I’ll keep you posted on how it goes! See you in the next blog, Dragons!