3rd year in a nutshell

So a year ago I was freaking out big time about leaving for a year, and despite the fact I had possibly the worst start to it all, I still managed to make this year the best of my life. My year abroad is done, thank you Malaga and Shanghai, both of you were incredible.

People keep asking which I preferred, first or second semester, but it's so difficult to pick as the life I had in each was completely different...

Malaga had our beautiful friendship group, we travelled and bonded so much. Friends became best friends instantly and stuck by me. Our apartment and that incredible freedom and lifestyle. Giovanni, his Russian girlfriend and Lukas the dog. Uni was useless but the beach was great, the weather was always great and we ran through fountains fully clothed. Robert boyds and Ektor played a huge part, likewise did Sala Pizza, Malapizza and Tapas. Sala wenge, Sala white and Sala gold. Brian and the pub crawl! Soggy microwaved pizzas from Mercadona Merca-do-naaaaa. I fell in love with Mojitos in Plaza de la Merced, eating seafood and drinking Cava and Fanta Limon. The chino over the road and fresh baguettes for 50c, making salami and cheese sandwiches. El palo and the beach, how we all became a family. The girls made Malaga Malaga, and the lazy Spanish lifestyle fitted me perfectly.

Shanghai was so big and scary. But a great place to live. We lived so differently, we worked hard in the week and partied hard at the weekends (and the evenings). We drank free champagne in the tallest bar in the world, and walked along the bund like it was home. We shopped at the fake market as locals and bought too many things for a dirt cheap price. If only luggage wasn't a restriction I would have brought so much more back! Dorms were boring and the beds were ridiculous, but the food and cost of everything was perfect. Chinese food is ridiculously cheap, from 65p for a meal in the canteen to only £10 for a really nice meal out. Had a huge international friend group and class, and a lovely boyfriend who took me on lovely dates. Didn't even miss home as much as I'd predicted, it definitely felt like I should have stayed soo much longer!

So, I can't choose between the two!

America, Canada, Ireland, Wales, Spain, France, Germany, Switzerland, Italy, Sweden, Holland, Belgium, Poland, China, Australia , Indonesia, Japan, Korea, Russia, Morocco, India. New Zealand. South Africa. A collection of nationalities I met along the way, I feel so lucky to have friends in all corners of the world that I may travel to one day. Will always be a big fan of international love!

       Adios!    再见!    Bye!