Looking out the airplane window at the clouds, senior Gonzalo Laura wonders, “what the heck am I doing,” as he flies over to the United States leaving his home behind him.

Laura left his family and friends behind in Madrid, Spain in order to go to school at JC this year. He now lives at the student dorms on campus. However, he would rather live with a host family.

Laura came to the United States because he wanted a new experience. “Every day I had the same routine, I needed a change,” Laura said.

“The United States is really different, everything is big size like all the food,” Laura said. “There is a lot more public transport in Spain; so many people have cars here. Spain is much cleaner. It is more traditional and old.”

Laura came to the United States because he wanted a new experience. “Every day I had the same routine, I needed a change,” Laura said.

In Spain, Laura went to many parties and clubs. Most clubs allow 16-year-olds. In the United States, he enjoys playing basketball, hanging out with his friends, and listening to music. He used to play guitar, but stopped because of lack of time.

“I don’t like living in the dorms, but they are nice because I can just walk to basketball practice,” Laura said, “At night, I have to choose between heat and sleep because the heaters are so noisy. My feet hang off the end of the bed.”

“I don’t get homesick much,” Laura said. “I was looking at pictures of my friends in Spain the other day and I felt kind of sad. All of my friends and family are there.”

Laura is trying to go to college in the U.S. “I will need to get a scholarship for college. I don’t mind if it is in New York or Texas,” Laura said. There are free public colleges in Spain.

Rachel Amrhein is a Multimedia Editor for The Patriot and jcpatriot.com.