Already?! (by Michelle)

So, today was a drizzly, rainy day (the first in a long time here) and it seemed appropriate because today was the day that our students left. Many are going to travel a little around Europe and others are heading home. The drizzle accentuated their absence for me (and hopefully made leaving easier for them). Though it is a bit of a relief to no longer be formally responsible for all 26 of them, we will miss them and look forward to hearing how the rest of their adventures go.

Last night, we said good-bye to them at a little party at our house. (Shh, don't tell anyone, but we had a pizza party. We tried for something authentic and Spanish, but it fell through and to make life easier we went for Pizza Hut. How awful and ugly-American, but . . . well, stress-free. Of course, the students didn't complain.)

For those of you who don't know. Our study abroad program was for 26 BYU students who speak some Spanish. They stayed in the homes of local families (some LDS, some not) and studied in classes together at the local university here in Alcalá. Together we traveled around Spain and had lots of fun discovering things together.

They are a great group of people and I just want to publicly thank them and especially recognize how great they were with our kids. I told them at the party, but I'll say it again. They were so kind, patient, interested and fun with our children that it really helped to ease the burden of them not having many friends here. Eva will especially miss all of the attention that was showered on her and is already making plans for a get-together in Utah. Gracias estudiantes y amigos! Keep in touch. Hasta Luego - hasta Utah!

Saying good-bye to these students made me also thinking about and miss our original group of students from 2004. Where are you guys?! Send us an email or something. We miss you too!