Murcia; outta comfort zone we go

Going overseas to travel has always been my favorite thing to do since i was a kid. But living overseas is another thing. Never crossed my mind i'd do an exchange programme somewhere so far from home. Being all alone in a city i don't recognize the language has been pretty much challenging. Though i kept on telling myself this is what i wanted, what i've dreamed of, it still feels different to cram someplace not with my family in it. So out of nowhere i saw a poster on my university back home there's an exchange programme to this Catholic University, UCAM. Been born with a Catholic family and school since a baby made me feel more bonded with Catholic thing-y. Then there was me staring at the poster and thought i'd give it a shot. I actually am a last semester student, 8th, suppposed to stay and finish my thesis then i'll graduate. But i thought wouldn't it be interesting to try something new, to get out of my comfort zone, as i'm officially 21 this year. Then after the process of interview and stuff turned out my lucky name popped up. Though i don't get the Erasmus+ but i feel super blessed to earn my scholarship there.

Fresh air, nice weather, beautiful surroundings, guess where i'm placed? It's Murcia, a humble city in Spain, as pretty as it sounds, me on my 30th days and i've never been happier on my days. How can i not? The city is very homey, with a lot of university students strolling around here, plus where i live is so close with shops (try Plaza Circular). Google Murcia, the statement of a university city pops up. A lot of young peeps hang around my area during weekdays nor weekend. They all look harmless which made me feel so secure in here. Well-educated people, i'd say. What's best is the people here is very helpful, though i don't speak Spanish, they managed to understand what i'm saying in English instead of just ignoring what this alien says.

My university here is located in Guadalupe, which is 32 mins bus ride from where i live, i love sightseeing so it's a win-win i guess. My university's architecture is magnificent! If i'm a traveler who happened to just cross by, i'd thought it's a touristy spot. UCAM has a chapel inside, as nice architecture as the outside. The ambience around is very student-y, not so loud and not much shops or attraction center there, such a uni area. Been awhile but feels like everything is in it's place and everyone in uni has been so supportive. UCAM definitely stole my heart!

I've been planning to travel other EU countries, found several websites that has a comparison of prices and a few blogs that help. Turned out the transportation and accomodation are very accessible. Though, i did a math, it's cheaper to leave from Alicante instead of Murcia Airport, but hey, it's only six euros for a return trip from Murcia-Alicante by bus.

It's been a pleasure writing my first ever blog here to share a few with you guys. Hope you enjoy it!