From what you already know, I was an exchange student in Spain for two months through Erasmus. It was an incredible experience, one I will carry with me for a long time.

As you’re reading this, I’m probably in my room, writing after having unpacked everything from the suitcase I brought back with me.

This blog is written in English to spare you from my “muy bien español” even though I would honestly love to try. A lot of the people I met during my time there were Spanish, and many of the moments that made this trip so special came from completely ordinary strangers who somehow made it unforgettable.

I would like to begin this letter by addressing two of my professors in Spain,

José and Alonso

José was one of our professors who welcomed us to Spain with such warmth and understanding, fully aware that we did not yet know the language.

During our stay in Spain, he made sure that we felt included, safe, and supported, and that we had everything we needed to complete our project. He also guided us through our clinical practice in the next town, always making sure we were prepared and comfortable in each new situation. I feel very grateful to have had him as a professor, and for the way he supported me throughout this project. At the same time, he showed a genuine interest in Norwegian culture, which made it even easier for us to connect with him. Because of that, we felt secure and well taken care of from the very beginning, knowing he would be there to guide us through this journey.

So, José, I would sincerely like to thank you for your warmth, your guidance, and for making us feel so welcome in Spain.

Alonso

Was one of my professors in simulation he was amazing and I learned so much during the simulation. He helped me understand and make me feel so welcome during the class because the first time I did not know anyone. He made it easier to break the ice, connect with other students, and feel like part of the class. His way of teaching created a comfortable and positive environment where learning felt natural and enjoyable.

To both José and Alonsothank you for being such important parts of my experience in Spain. You made this journey not only educational but also deeply meaningful, and I will always carry those memories with me.

During Alonso’s class, I also had the chance to get to know some of the students, and one of them was

Luké

Luké was incredibly kind and helpful. During the simulation sessions, he translated everything for me because I was often sitting there without understanding much Spanish. His support made a huge difference for me and helped me feel much more included in class. Before I had to leave Spain, he invited me to a beautiful concert that he was organizing. The concert was amazing, and through that experience, I got to meet even more wonderful people who were so kind, warm, and welcoming. I truly wish I had more time to stay and build stronger friendships with them, because I could already tell that they were the kind of people you rarely meet, genuine, special, and truly one of a kind.

And since this journey is also about school, I cannot thank my bachelor partner enough

Sol 

At the very beginning, I promised myself that I would never let stress, misunderstandings, or frustration come between us. When you work closely with someone on such an important project, there will always be moments where things are misunderstood, where opinions differ, or where the pressure feels heavy. I was honestly scared that I might let that affect our partnership or that I could somehow turn against the very person helping me through it all.

But that fear never became reality.

Writing our bachelor thesis together turned out to be filled with so much understanding, patience, and even fun. We spent hours talking, not only about the project, but also about our past experiences, our thoughts, and life in general. Even though we are very different people, we found something special in common, and because of that, we simply clicked.

Of course, I may have been a little irritated here and there, but that was me, never you. You never did anything wrong, and I want to thank you so much for that.

Without you, I would never have come this far in this project. And honestly, without us, I don’t think this bachelor thesis would have ever seen the light of day. I’m so grateful that you cared not only about the bachelor itself, but also about truly experiencing life in Spain. We went out together, we went shopping, we had long therapeutic talks that helped me so much, and I truly hope they helped you too.

I cannot thank you enough.

Så til deg, Sol; jeg må bare si at jeg er så glad i deg, og så utrolig stolt av deg.

Takk for at du takket ja til utveksling. Takk for at vi ble så gode partnere. Uten deg hadde jeg aldri klart dette. Jeg vil bare si tusen tusen hjertelig takk. Jeg er veldig glad i deg, og jeg er så stolt av hvordan vi begge har vokst gjennom denne reisen. Vi er ikke de samme personene som da vi kom hit, vi reiser hjem som to nye mennesker, og begge er helt rå. Herregud, takk for at vi fikk oppleve dette sammen. Jeg er så takknemlig. Du er virkelig min Sol.

For hver gang vi skulle skrive bachelor sammen, eller bare møtes, følte jeg meg klar og motivert. Hver gang jeg ser deg, smiler du, du stråler virkelig. Det er noe så varmt og trygt med energien din, og det smitter over på alle rundt deg. Når jeg ser på deg, er det akkurat som om du lyser opp rommet.

Takk for at du har vært akkurat den du er.

And she was not the only person I got close to during this trip. I also got to know another amazing girl, she is also Norwegian, and her name is

Sara

Honestly, I don’t even know how it happened, but we just clicked. We ended up doing almost everything together, and since I was living in the centre and kept saying yes to everything and everyone, we shared so many experiences along the way.

By the end of the trip, I realized that saying yes to those moments made the memories even stronger. The three of us spent so much time together, just hanging out, laughing, and creating memories, and I truly enjoyed every part of it.

At the same time, I also want to be honest. There were moments where the way I spoke about certain topics may have sounded mean, or maybe even hurtful. Sometimes I used humor in the wrong way, like a joke that came out too sharp or too harsh. Looking back, I realize that this is a side of myself I needed to reflect on, and it was never your fault. Through my own reflection, and because of your honesty with me, I learned a lot about myself. I want to say I’m sorry for those moments. Thank you for being honest enough to let me see that side of myself, because it helped me grow. We did so many things together, even going to the zoo, which honestly was a bit depressing for me because I’m not a big fan of seeing animals in cages. But I didn’t want you to miss out on anything, so we went, and somehow it turned into such a fun day. We laughed, made jokes, and created another memory I’ll always remember.

I never expected that we would become such good friends, but here we are.

There is something about you that makes me want to protect you, not because I see myself as your big sister, but because I genuinely want you to be happy. I want life to be kind to you. I want you to have beautiful memories and feel proud of yourself. From the very first time I met you, I felt happy around you. And by the end of this trip, I truly saw you glow and shine. You have grown so much, you became stronger, brighter, and more confident. You are not the same person as when we first arrived, and I admire that so much. I am so proud of you, and seeing how quickly you have grown into an even better version of yourself is something I deeply respect.

And in one of your weakest moments, I felt truly honored that you chose to reach out to me. Thank you for trusting me enough to come to my door.

I will always remember that moment, when you walked out of my door with a smile on your face. It made me so happy, because it reminded me that sometimes the smallest moments of comfort can mean the most.

Så tusen takk Sara

But not only that, there were six of us Norwegian girls on this trip.

I did not get the chance to spend as much time with everyone as I would have liked, but one thing I know for sure is that every single one of them was kind. Everyone I spent time with was genuine, warm, and caring in their own way. It was really beautiful to see how we all had each other’s backs. Even though we were all different, there was still this strong sense of support and understanding between us. That made the whole experience feel even safer and more special. Knowing that we could rely on one another, laugh together, and be there for each other made this journey even more meaningful.

Til girlsa; jeg vil bare si at vi klarte det.

The Girl on the Bus,

Cari

For some reason, I never thought I would make a friend just by sitting on a bus.

One day, something strange happened, a man started speaking to me in a language I didn’t even understand. I’m still not sure what language it was, maybe Spanish, maybe something else, but I remember feeling confused like you could se it on my face from a mile away. After that strange moment, I ended up talking to a girl on the bus, and somehow, that small conversation stayed with me. She was incredibly kind, and I remember admiring how smart she was. There was something about her energy that made me feel calm and safe.

A week past, while I was sitting at the university, I saw her again. It felt so strange, but also so nice. Sometimes you meet people and assume you’ll never see them again, and then suddenly, there they are. That day, I had brought some Norwegian chocolate with me. Earlier, I had already given some chocolate to an older woman on the bus who got off near the hospital. I don’t remember everything about that conversation because she mostly spoke Spanish, but I remember how she truly listened to me. Even though she didn’t fully understand me, she genuinely tried, and that kindness stayed with me.

When I saw the girl from the bus again at the university, I wished I had brought two chocolates with me that day one for the woman on the bus, and one for her.

The mystery man with the wise words

The man was someone incredibly smart, reflective, and thoughtful. Every conversation with him made me question my own existence, not because he gave me direct answers, but because he had this way of answering my questions by simply asking better ones.

With just a few simple words, he taught me so much, more than he probably realized, though I think deep down, he knew.  during my stay in Spain, I loved taking pictures with people whether it was with a dog, a flower bouquet, a paprika at the market, policemen, or firemen, I did it all. But somehow, I could never get a picture with him.

Every time I saw him, he would promise that next time we would take one. He always said he “owed me one” and that something was supposed to be a picture together.

That picture never came.

At first, I tried three or four times, but eventually, I gave up on it. And honestly, I’m not even sad about it anymore. Some memories are stronger without a photo, and somehow, that feels right when it comes to him. For some reason, I see him as a respectable figure. He taught me a lot. He made me reflect on myself, on my choices, and even on my own sanity. He was excellent at what he did, and there is truly nothing I can complain about. His wise words will always echo in my head. Every time I start questioning something unnecessary or doing something foolish, I can almost hear his voice which makw me stop and reflect.

He taught me that it is not always about me doing everything myself and most importantly, he made me realize that I am actually the star of my own life.

And for that, it is honestly better than a picture.

Some memories do not need to be captured, they stay with you in a much deeper way. The lessons, the conversations, and the reflection you gave me are worth far more than any photo could ever be. So honestly, thank you.

A

George “Navarra Estudiantes”

This might be my favourite letter to write, and I’m not entirely sure how to put it into words without feeling emotional, because you were honestly an incredible flatmate.

I could never have imagined, in a million years, that I would end up sharing a home with someone like you. And I genuinely don’t even know if I would want a different flatmate.

At the beginning, everything went well, nothing special, just normal. But after a while, we had what I would say was one of the biggest arguments of my year. I felt terrible afterwards. I hated myself for how I reacted, and for the way I handled things in that moment.

But strangely enough, I am actually glad we had that argument and I think you are too.

Even though we didn’t talk properly for a week, it made me reflect a lot. Especially after that message where we all have to send three good things about each other to the landlady, it forced me to really think about our actions, our words, and how important it is to grow from conflict instead of avoiding it. I realised that becoming a better person is not just about saying sorry, it is about understanding what I did wrong, and genuinely learning from it. And I have reflected deeply on my part in that situation.

The day I said sorry to you was the same day you had your interview,and later that day, you got the job. I still remember hugging you in the morning and telling you that you could do it, that I was proud of you, and that you had it in you.

And I still mean it today. I am so proud of you.

Georgie, you are incredibly smart, brave, and capable. I don’t think I’ve ever met someone who can pick up Spanish as fast as you did. Honestly, you made me feel like a fish when I tried to speak. You are just amazing. I am so glad we moved past that fight. You also taught me small things that I will never forget, like not splitting the pole. Now every time I walk past one, I think of you. I will miss our rooftop photoshoot and sunbathe, going up to take pictures together, and those moments where we would just exist in the same space without needing anything else.

I will also never forget how you are always late, your time management is honestly questionable, but at the same time, you always manage to get things done in the end. Somehow, you make it work without stress, and I admire that more than you think.

Thank you for pushing me into experiences I probably wouldn’t have done alone, like going upstairs and saying hi to the Italians on my last night. Without you, I would have never gone. And that night turned out to be one of the most unforgettable experiences of the entire trip.

You are just you. And there really is no other way to describe it, because words feel too small.

I want you to succeed in life Georgie, truly. And I know you will ♥

I will see you again. I will make sure of that.

Thank you for the letter, for every meal we shared, and for every conversation we had in the living room. If I could go back in time, I would do it all again exactly the same way, because having you as my flatmate during those two months in Spain is something that nothing can top.

Our last walk was only the beginning. I will make sure it is not our last.

B

The Italians Upstairs

For the entire two months, there was always noise from upstairs, the music, the laughter, the energy. It was always there in the background of our days. But I had never gone up to experience it.  It felt unfamiliar, almost foreign to me. I knew there were Italians living upstairs. I had seen some of them before, once at the store, once on the rooftop, but I never dared to say hi. I would just smile, and get a smile back, and then walk away. For some reason, I never took that step.

On my last night, I was sitting in the living room with Georgie, listening again to the music and the banging from upstairs. This time, it felt different. More tempting. More alive.

But I still didn’t move.

Then Georgie asked me “Do you want to go upstairs and say hi to the neighbours? I mean it’s your last day”

And I said yes.

That moment turned out to be one of the best decisions of the entire trip.

The Italians were incredibly welcoming. Warm, open, and full of energy. I don’t regret not going earlier, but I do see it as a lesson, sometimes I need to take opportunities when they come, or I’ll end up thinking about the “what if” What could really go wrong? If I had said hi the first time I saw them on the rooftop, who knows what that could have led to.

And then I learned something even more unexpected, they were born comedians. The entire night turned into laughter. I don’t think I’ve ever laughed that much for so long in my life. My stomach literally hurt from laughing so much. The lesson I take with me is simple, I should stop overthinking and just go for it more often.

To the Italians upstairs, thank you for the laughter. And next time, I won’t hesitate to say ciao.

Last but not least, to my wonderful girl Anastasia ♥

I cannot imagine my time in Spain without you. I’ve spent months here, and I’m so incredibly grateful that I met you, and that we’ve stayed in touch, even though it has been more than five years since our first Erasmus. I still remember that it was during COVID, which feels like a lifetime ago.

We stayed in contact here and there after that, and when I found out I was coming to Spain, you were one of the very first people I told. From that moment on, you were already planning everything for me. You told me so much, showed me so many things, and made me feel welcome even before I had arrived. You said you would show me everything, and you truly did.

You introduced me to your family in Cartagena, which meant so much to me. You taught me about Spain in a way I could never have learned alone. You told me about Holy Week, something I knew nothing about before coming, and experiencing it for the first time was unforgettable. You were like my guidebook, except better, because you made everything feel alive.

I honestly don’t know how I would have managed without you helping me through all of this. I still remember you helping me getting my first bus card… although it turns out I now have three, and I’m not even sure which one works where because I tried to be independent at some point. You probably would love to have helped, but you also let me figure things out on my own, which I appreciate more than I can say.

I’m so grateful that your family welcomed me with open arms. It meant so much to be included, to go to your brother’s graduation, to meet your family, the cats, Saba, you truly made me feel like I was part of something.

I don’t have enough words to describe how thankful I am for everything you’ve shown me and done for me. I don’t think I can ever repay you, because what you’ve given me goes far beyond anything material. It’s something deeper than that.

I feel so lucky to have you as my friend, one of the closest people in my life here. Someone I can share secrets with, someone who shows me love in the smallest but most meaningful ways. I told you once that I liked flowers, and then suddenly I had flowers in my hands because you remembered. That’s just who you are, you don’t just listen, you care, and you show it.

During my stay in Spain, I did almost everything with you. I experienced so much because of you. You are so proud of me, and you make me feel like I deserve more than I sometimes believe I do. You tell people about me in such a warm way, and it honestly touches me deeply.

At the same time, I sometimes feel helpless because you seem to know everything and handle so much so effortlessly. I wish I could take some of that weight off your shoulders, because you deserve that too. Still, you remain someone I admire greatly.

Our trips to Cartagena are some of my best memories. Even the small things, restaurants, walks, conversations will stay with me. I would have been happy doing that every day, just being with you. You’ve been my support, my guide, and my safe place in this experience.

Even our last hug at the bus station didn’t feel like a goodbye. I hugged you tightly, but I made sure in my heart that it wouldn’t be our last. Maybe soon, we’ll explore Spain together.

Masse kjærlighet ♥

Little PS...

One of the things that were really really incredible with Spain that I have to admit is the Bomberos 

The pictures from this trip are on Instagram, so feel free to check them out ♥

Facebook: Menita Sæthre
Instagram: menita_saethre
TikTok:me9tas