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Class: '09

Major: Art, Spanish

Hometown: Culpeper, VA

Writing From: Madrid, Spain

Study Abroad Program:

IES Abroad

International Experience:

LC Study Abroad, Spain (Spring Break 2006); Virginia Governor's Spanish Academy

LC Activities:

Westover Honors Program, Phi Kappa Phi National Honor Society, Phi Eta Sigma National Honor Society, Phi Sigma Iota International Foreign Language Honor Society, International Programs Office internship, The Hornet International modern language newsletter, LC Graphics, Baptist College Ministry, Various LC instrumental music groups

Derrick

The Return Trip Part 3: I'll Be Home For Christmas, If Only in My Dreams!

Posted on 12/22/2008

Proceeding towards the gate from which my desired flight was to take off for the USA, I had to pass through another security checkpoint to have my bags searched and my passport stamped. Once inside this secured area, I still had a half hour until boarding, so I enjoyed an ice-cold, super-overpriced Coca-Cola in memory of Marcos before getting in line at the gate.

The line for economy-class seats was already really long by the time I arrived--as are most lines in an international airport--but I held onto the hope, however hesitantly, that there would still be one seat left after they all boarded. When I finally got to the head of the line, I was told that I had been standing in the wrong line for the past twenty minutes; since my boarding pass was stamped "Standby", I had to go to a separate desk to receive my seating assignment. Fortunately, there wasn't nearly as long a line at this second desk, and when it was my turn I couldn't believe my ears when the man asked me, "Would you prefer a window seat or an aisle seat?" Window seat?! Of course! Right then and there, he printed off a new boarding pass with a real seat number on it for a real seat on the plane I had intended to board since August! I was ecstatic! I would be able to see my family in less than nine hours and spend the holidays in my own country!

The flight has been very comfortable, with terrific service, acceptable food (only one dish I haven't been able to recognize so far; they called it a "chicken hot dog", but I'm not sure I believe them...), and I've already befriended the girl sitting next to me, who is returning to the U.S. after a semester in India. It was great to share our stories from such vastly different countries, discuss the eye-opening nature of our study abroad experiences, and talk about what we were looking forward to most in the U.S. And the most surprising part for me was that I, Derrick VanLeer, had initiated the conversation, within the first few seconds of boarding. I have never before talked to a complete stranger next to me in an airplane, and in such a situation I would normally have driven myself crazy with some epic internal battle over what to say or whether to say anything. Yet within minutes, I felt like we'd known each other for a few weeks. I'm already beginning to see how much confidence I've gained through my experience abroad, and I love it! I'm anxious to see how my life changes once back in the US again.

UPDATE: Upon returning to the US, I contacted the travel agency I had used, and they provided me with proof that they had purchased all the tickets agreed upon and speculated that this must have been an internal error on the airline's side of the deal. They offered me a whopping $25 towards my next flight and advice on any future trips I'd like to take, but since I'm home safe and sound, I don't think I'll take any further action against them or the airline. It's just nice to be home for the holidays!

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