Week 2
It's been a little over two weeks since my arrival! This week marks the halfway point in my trip - I can't believe it! This week I participated in several cultural activities including a cooking class and a bullfight, had my mid-term exams, and took a weekend trip to Granada with friends! This post will go through my second week abroad and the things I have learned.
Week 2 of Classes
My second week of classes flew by so fast! We even had mid-terms this week! In my Spanish language class, we reviewed what we learned last week and added in new topics such as expressing opinions, using time, interrogatives, and using imperative commands. In class we did many speaking exercises to practice. Our professor would put up some examples on the front board and then call on each student to practice the exercise out loud. This was very helpful because if we messed up she would help us see where we went wrong. We also did a lot of partner practice, where we would ask our partner a question and we would have to respond using topics we learned. At the end of the week we did a review session and we had a chance to practice everything that would be on the mid-term and ask questions on concepts we were struggling with. The day before the exam I went out with friends to a local coffee shop and we reviewed together and practiced for a few hours. I felt confident in what I learned and felt ready for the exam! The next day we were given the exam, and it was exactly everything she had reviewed with us. It was a short test, and I felt very prepared! I finished it and was allowed to leave. I feel very successful in my classes so far and have even been using what I learned outside of class with my host-mother and with locals I talk to. Taking what I learned in class and applying it to everyday life is such a rewarding experience and I am loving using my new language skills!
The second week of my culture class was also a success. This week we learned about Andalusia as a whole; covering their cuisine, character and dialect, some history, and Spanish art. While we covered a lot of material, I found it all very interesting! In addition to our class material we began preparing for the mid-term exam. This mid-term was not based on class notes and material; instead it was a reading quiz. We were given short passages to read about Spanish history and culture and the test quizzed us on the reading. I spent a lot of time reading the passages in the student study room in the basement on the ICS. This was nice because I could read it and then discuss it with friends to check my understanding. This quiz turned out to be very similar to the readings and was short and simple. I felt very confident in how the exam went.
My second week of classes flew by so fast! We even had mid-terms this week! In my Spanish language class, we reviewed what we learned last week and added in new topics such as expressing opinions, using time, interrogatives, and using imperative commands. In class we did many speaking exercises to practice. Our professor would put up some examples on the front board and then call on each student to practice the exercise out loud. This was very helpful because if we messed up she would help us see where we went wrong. We also did a lot of partner practice, where we would ask our partner a question and we would have to respond using topics we learned. At the end of the week we did a review session and we had a chance to practice everything that would be on the mid-term and ask questions on concepts we were struggling with. The day before the exam I went out with friends to a local coffee shop and we reviewed together and practiced for a few hours. I felt confident in what I learned and felt ready for the exam! The next day we were given the exam, and it was exactly everything she had reviewed with us. It was a short test, and I felt very prepared! I finished it and was allowed to leave. I feel very successful in my classes so far and have even been using what I learned outside of class with my host-mother and with locals I talk to. Taking what I learned in class and applying it to everyday life is such a rewarding experience and I am loving using my new language skills!
The second week of my culture class was also a success. This week we learned about Andalusia as a whole; covering their cuisine, character and dialect, some history, and Spanish art. While we covered a lot of material, I found it all very interesting! In addition to our class material we began preparing for the mid-term exam. This mid-term was not based on class notes and material; instead it was a reading quiz. We were given short passages to read about Spanish history and culture and the test quizzed us on the reading. I spent a lot of time reading the passages in the student study room in the basement on the ICS. This was nice because I could read it and then discuss it with friends to check my understanding. This quiz turned out to be very similar to the readings and was short and simple. I felt very confident in how the exam went.
The student study room at the ICS and Máscarpone, the cafe I studied at a lot! Coffee and crepes always help!
Field Trips and Cultural Events
This week we didn't have any in class field trips, but there were several cultural events planned by the ICS. On Monday I took a paella cooking class with other students from the college. We met outside the ICS and then walked to one of the host-mothers houses where we learned how to make paella, a traditional Spanish dish! The host-mother's son was our teacher. His name was Pablo, and he was a previous restaurant owner and had a lot of cooking experience. During the class he gave us a brief introduction to the dish and some history about it. It was really fun to relate what I had learned in class to an actual experience. We also made sangria with Pablo and learned a little bit about the history of the drink. The meal in total took about two hours to cook, and Pablo taught us in both Spanish and English. When it was finally ready, we all sat around the table and ate it together. It was delicious! It was really fun to eat something that everyone came together to create.
Another cultural experience I had this week was the Virgin of El Rocío procession. I was walking through the neighborhood when I came across an ox pulling a caravan of pilgrims. There were many people lined up on the street watching it go by. I asked a woman what it was, an she explained that it was a pilgrimage many Catholics make to the province of Huelva, Spain. It is in honor of the Virgin Mary where they venerate the statue of the Virgin of El Rocío. The pilgrims travel hundreds of miles to honor the Virgin. It was so amazing to stumble upon something so deeply rooted in Spanish history and culture and to see it first hand!
Later that week I also went to a bullfight! It was a novice bullfight, or a corrida as the Spanish might say. The participant was not yet a matador but a novice aiming to become one. The bullfights are held every Thursday night at sunset. It was held at La Plaza de Toros de la Real Maestranza in Seville. The Plaza was stunning in the setting sun and was filled with high energy. I went with a few classmates from my culture class. It was nice because we had learned about bullfighting last week in class. I am very glad I had a brief background on bullfighting before I went. The actual bullfight was much different than I expected. It was very systematic, and was viewed as a ceremony or art form rather than a fight. While the matador does kill the bull at the end of the corrida, the death of the bull is thought of as a sacrifice as it is life-giving through it's death. This was definitely a once in a lifetime experience for me. I didn't particularly love the bullfight or necessarily agree with it, but I am glad I went and experienced this huge part of Seville's culture. Although I may not fully agree with some aspects of Spanish culture I believe that the best way to learn is through experience, and through the bullfight I was able to fully immerse myself and learn more about the country I am studying.
Another cultural experience I had this week was the Virgin of El Rocío procession. I was walking through the neighborhood when I came across an ox pulling a caravan of pilgrims. There were many people lined up on the street watching it go by. I asked a woman what it was, an she explained that it was a pilgrimage many Catholics make to the province of Huelva, Spain. It is in honor of the Virgin Mary where they venerate the statue of the Virgin of El Rocío. The pilgrims travel hundreds of miles to honor the Virgin. It was so amazing to stumble upon something so deeply rooted in Spanish history and culture and to see it first hand!
Later that week I also went to a bullfight! It was a novice bullfight, or a corrida as the Spanish might say. The participant was not yet a matador but a novice aiming to become one. The bullfights are held every Thursday night at sunset. It was held at La Plaza de Toros de la Real Maestranza in Seville. The Plaza was stunning in the setting sun and was filled with high energy. I went with a few classmates from my culture class. It was nice because we had learned about bullfighting last week in class. I am very glad I had a brief background on bullfighting before I went. The actual bullfight was much different than I expected. It was very systematic, and was viewed as a ceremony or art form rather than a fight. While the matador does kill the bull at the end of the corrida, the death of the bull is thought of as a sacrifice as it is life-giving through it's death. This was definitely a once in a lifetime experience for me. I didn't particularly love the bullfight or necessarily agree with it, but I am glad I went and experienced this huge part of Seville's culture. Although I may not fully agree with some aspects of Spanish culture I believe that the best way to learn is through experience, and through the bullfight I was able to fully immerse myself and learn more about the country I am studying.
Photos from the paella cooking class, the Virgin of Rocío procession, and the bullfight!
Weekend Trip to Granada This weekend there were no events planned by the college, so many students planned weekend trips. I decided to visit Granada with some classmates! We hopped a train on Friday after class and headed to the city! Granada is a charming city high up in the Sierra Nevada mountain range. Although it was only four hours from Seville, already it felt much different. When I was in Granada I noticed there was much more Muslim influence here than in Seville. There was the Alhambra, the legendary Moorish palace, and also many more Arabic restaurants and shops than in Seville. I was fascinated by how different this city felt. Even the weather was different, as it was drier and cooler up in the mountains than in Seville. In Granada we visited the Cathedral, The Alhambra, the old Muslim and Jewish quarters, and the Mirador de San Nicolás, which was a lookout point over the mountains and over the Alhambra. This weekend I learned a lot about the city and it's history. This trip was a great way to travel, see a new city, and get to know my classmates better!
On this trip I also gained a lot more independence and planning skills. I have never planned a trip on my own before, let alone planned one in another country. I learned how to do a lot of new things this weekend such as booking an Airbnb, buying the train ticket to Granada on my own, using the bus system in Granada and navigating the city. Back home I have never done any of these things on my own before, so it was a great learning opportunity on how to be independent and make successful travel plans on my own.
On this trip I also gained a lot more independence and planning skills. I have never planned a trip on my own before, let alone planned one in another country. I learned how to do a lot of new things this weekend such as booking an Airbnb, buying the train ticket to Granada on my own, using the bus system in Granada and navigating the city. Back home I have never done any of these things on my own before, so it was a great learning opportunity on how to be independent and make successful travel plans on my own.
Photos from Granada including the Alhambra at sunset, me and my friends, and the old Albayzín barrio!
Week 2 Reflection
My second week in Seville was amazing and went by very fast. I can't believe I already took my mid-term exams! Something I have been reflecting on this week is how my worldview has changed since I first arrived in Spain. Before this trip, I was nervous to step foot in another country where I knew little about the language and culture. The world seemed like such a big, scary place where I would always need to be on guard. When I arrived in Seville, I was surprised by how much locals wanted to speak with me and help me out. While I try to see the best in people, my background has taught me to remember importance of safety and to always stay aware. Back home I usually do not try to talk to strangers and for the most part I keep to myself. However, here in Spain people have gone out of their way to help a foreigner like me. On the way to Granada we went through some confusing travel changes where we had to get off the train and onto two buses, as the railroad didn't go through all the way to the city. Because of the language barrier it was confusing for us to make sure we were getting onto the right bus to Granada. However, a woman on the train began asking us where we were from and where we were going. As if we were her own children, she kept an eye on us and ensured that we made it to our destination. Her kindness touched me, and it helped me to see that not all strangers are bad and that there are many good-heated people out there wanting to lend a hand.
After the past two weeks, I am beginning to see the world in a different light. It no longer seems so big or a place filled with the unknown, but rather a place where people are kind and willing to help others. Being abroad has shown me that there are more people out there who are willing to help you than to harm you. While I still keep my safety in mind, I have learned that it is important to go outside of my comfort zone and talk to strangers. Talking to other travelers and foreigners is one of the best parts of being abroad. They can help you learn the lay of the land, and their stories and experiences can help widen your perception and views. If you never give people a chance, you'll never know who you might meet or the stories they might tell you! During my travels I have kept this quote in mind from my favorite book The Alchemist, "This wasn't a strange place; it was a new one."
My second week in Seville was amazing and went by very fast. I can't believe I already took my mid-term exams! Something I have been reflecting on this week is how my worldview has changed since I first arrived in Spain. Before this trip, I was nervous to step foot in another country where I knew little about the language and culture. The world seemed like such a big, scary place where I would always need to be on guard. When I arrived in Seville, I was surprised by how much locals wanted to speak with me and help me out. While I try to see the best in people, my background has taught me to remember importance of safety and to always stay aware. Back home I usually do not try to talk to strangers and for the most part I keep to myself. However, here in Spain people have gone out of their way to help a foreigner like me. On the way to Granada we went through some confusing travel changes where we had to get off the train and onto two buses, as the railroad didn't go through all the way to the city. Because of the language barrier it was confusing for us to make sure we were getting onto the right bus to Granada. However, a woman on the train began asking us where we were from and where we were going. As if we were her own children, she kept an eye on us and ensured that we made it to our destination. Her kindness touched me, and it helped me to see that not all strangers are bad and that there are many good-heated people out there wanting to lend a hand.
After the past two weeks, I am beginning to see the world in a different light. It no longer seems so big or a place filled with the unknown, but rather a place where people are kind and willing to help others. Being abroad has shown me that there are more people out there who are willing to help you than to harm you. While I still keep my safety in mind, I have learned that it is important to go outside of my comfort zone and talk to strangers. Talking to other travelers and foreigners is one of the best parts of being abroad. They can help you learn the lay of the land, and their stories and experiences can help widen your perception and views. If you never give people a chance, you'll never know who you might meet or the stories they might tell you! During my travels I have kept this quote in mind from my favorite book The Alchemist, "This wasn't a strange place; it was a new one."