Study Abroad in Spain

Spain as a whole was one of the best choices I could have ever made. This trip was the first I had taken outside of the country and my second plane ride ever. I honestly have no complaints or regrets. Even the bad parts of the trip still make for greats memories and great stories. I met new people and made some new friends. I improved my Spanish (though improved suckiness still sucks) and I genially had a great time.

You have to go into the experience with an open mind. I tried foods I’ve never had before (I even tried to eat a fish eye, tried and failed). I also tried some foods I just don’t eat in the US, like olives (which I still hate) or cumbers or shrimp (which apparently I can eat now). After a while you do get kind of home sick for McDonalds or Burger King (and they do have both there), but you have to limit yourself.

Study aboard is about learning new things and broadening your horizon. I had a great time and experienced things I may never have gotten to see or experience otherwise. It’s hard to put into words. I know that I’ve probably said that about a lot on the trip but it is true. When you see a picture of Spain in a book it doesn’t do it justice and I don’t think I can wither. It was a lot to take in just a month, but I appreciated every minute of it. I have to say that I honestly advise every person that can, to take advantage of study abroad before the graduate. And don’t let the price scare you, because there are way to help pay for you trip. It an experience you have to make your own, there’s so beyond the United States and it really is amazing to see for yourself.

Your Blogger,

C J

The second excursion in Alicante was Museo Arqueologico de Alicante (Alicante’s museum of archeology). It was nice, for a museum. We saw a few mummies (but no daddies) and a lot of cool artifacts. The tour guide was a bit rushed because we got to the museum late and we only had about thirty minutes before it closed but she was good. I’m assuming she was good; she was going so fast I could barely get every third word.  She was very animated though and you could tell that she was trying to make the tour interesting. She asked the group questions and made little jokes. She also talked a lot with her hands.

I am sorry to say that after trying my hardest to understand her, my brain kind of shut off. I tried to pay attention and I did get some of what she was telling us but not a lot. She spoke about the mummification process and a few of the artifacts, but other than that I can’t really tell you much. Sorry, I guess I’m not much help on this one. But if you Spanish is good or you just really enjoy Egypt then you would like this particular excursion.

Your Blogger,

C J

We only had two excursion in Alicante (well three but one was optional). The Castillo San Barbara was my personal favorite. This castle was probably the coolest one we saw on the trip. The castle was on the top of this mountain near the beach. We took a bus to the top of the mountain and then walked around the castle. It was a bit of a walk, but it was worth it. When we reached the top of the castle there was an amazing view of the city and the beach. I hate heights and even I couldn’t take my eyes of the view (and we were there on a cloudy day).

We stayed at the top for a while taking pictures and just having fun. Then the tour guide told us the story of the star crossed lovers who couldn’t have each other. They killed themselves by jumping of the castle (I think there a better way to go).  After the tour we proceeded to walk down the mountain. It wasn’t as bad as I thought it would be there was a trail leading down and it only to a little bit to get down. And after that it was straight to the beach for me and my friends.

Your Blogger,

C J

Alicante was amazing. It is smaller than Madrid, but by no means is it a tiny town. You do however only see a small portion of it, but that suited me just fine because the beach was all I needed. I loved Madrid; it was a great city (think New York but Spanish). However after three weeks in Madrid a week at the beach was perfect.

Classes began at 9:00 AM and they were over at 1:00; there were a few excursions here and there, but for the most part afterschool the day belonged to us. The beach I literally about a ten minute walk from the school and the water felt great. A little tip, though, if you happen to visit Alicante, go to San Juan. The train cost a couple of Euros and the beach is so much prettier there. The water is cleaner the beach is less crowded and it is the perfect place to relax. You should also be sure to remember sun block, the sun is very strong in Alicante and I had a few friends who were so relaxed that they looked candy apple red by the end of the day.

I also advise that anyone who goes should either take or buy a ball for the beach. Some of the best times I had in Alicante were just playing soccer with my friends. Of course we looked pretty sad next to the European kids playing soccer but it was still nice to get out there and kind of make fools of ourselves. Sure, we hit a few people and lost the ball in the water a couple of times, but even that made the whole thing more fun sometimes.

Your Blogger,

C J

One of the best things about the program is the fact that you get a free weekend in Madrid to do whatever you like. I had a friend who went to Paris for her weekend. I knew another girl who chose to go to Barcelona on her weekend. I chose to go to Venice, Italy with a group of friends and one of the professors. Travelling in Europe is pretty affordable and the fright to Italy and back was only around 160 Euros (plus the hostel which was around 40 or 50 for the weekend). It was a little hard to go somewhere where I didn’t speak the language at all, but that added to the fun too. We had the chance to ride in a gondola, see glass being blown and dance with nuns. The last thing was just something that happened and I don’t think you can plan it on any trip, but if you ever get the chance to dance with a nun you should take it (its loads of fun). We also bought Venetian masks had some great pizza and enjoyed some amazing ice cream (or gelato). These trips are a chance to go out and see whatever you like (within the time restraints of a weekend).

It is kind of a tease to have only a weekend somewhere like Venice, or Paris, or Barcelona but I think that even a weekend in one of those places is worth the experience. I wouldn’t change a thing about my trip and I’m sure that others feel the same way. It is important to make your free weekend your own. Venice was perfect for me, but not for everyone. I’m glad I got the chance and I advice anyone who goes to Spain to take full advantage of their weekend to.

Your Blogger,

C J

I thought that one of the most culturally relevant things I could have done (besides the bull fight) was Flamenco. Unlike bullfights there were no discrepancies about the ethical implications of going to see the show. There is no animal cruelty or danger, just amazing footwork. The dancers were very impressive. There were three women and one man, along with three male singers and two guys playing guitar. There was usually one woman dancing while the others kept the beat. The two who sat would clap at different intervals and create a separate beat from the singers and guitar players.

The dance itself is really passionate and vigorous. It is kind of like tap dancing, but not. The dancers’ feet move so fast that you can barely believe that the dancer is doing it on purpose. It looks like a lot of the dance is improvised and by the end of it all the dancers are pretty tired and very sweaty (I would say it takes a lot out of you). I can’t really explain it very well, it’s kind of something you have to see for yourself and if you’re in Spain I would advise that you do.

Your Blogger,

C J

One thing that I fully recommend to anyone who will be in Spain is to see a bull fight. OK, so bull fights can be considered animal cruelty, and slightly barbaric and very dangerous for all participants, however I recommend it anyway. It is part of the culture, it is really affordable and honestly I personally thought it was pretty cool.

There are six fights in on event and the stadium is packed with people. The bulls are brought out and tired out a little before the actual matador comes out to face him. It is unfair that the bull is put at such a disadvantage before the matador comes out, but considering the bull weighs around 2000 or 3000 pounds I think it actually evens the playing field a little. Keeping that in mind the fights aren’t so much contest of man against beast, because the bull never wins. Either the matador gets the bull himself and the bull dies, or the bull get the matador and everyone rushes to his rescue and the bull still dies (even quicker actually). I knew a few people that actually rooted for the bulls.

I rooted for the bull too, but it was because the better the bulls participation the better the fight. I knew the outcome of the fight, but when the bull charged and the matador simply stood his ground or made the slightest turn or step to avoid being stabbed by a bulls horns it was exciting. It takes real skill to do what they do, and as the crowd cheers “Ole” for the matador, you can’t help but get caught up in it all. In fact I love a good “Ole”.

Your Blogger,

C J

Any time not spent at school or on excursions could definitely be spent at Parque Retiro. Parque Retiro is this park across the street from the school. It is an amazing place to go and relax. If classes were really tough or you have to study or you just want to hang out with a few friends, Retiro is the place to go. It has plenty of cafes, and ice cream stands, and more than enough room to lie in the grass under a shady tree or in the sun if you so choose.

My first time in the park was one of the most relaxing days I had in Madrid. My friends and I spent hours in the park just doing own things. Nykkeisha sat writing in her journal, while our friend Camille sunbathed outside of the shade of the tree we happen to be under. My roommate Josh played his newly purchased Spanish guitar providing music for our tranquil seen (it you can I suggest travelling with a musician, they come in handy), I attempted to sketch the seen in my notebook. We stayed there for a few hours, and then we went home for dinner. I had friends, however, that stayed in the park until it closed (at 10 PM). It is easy to get caught up and lose track of time in Retiro.

Most of my time in Retiro was something like that first day. Being in the parks was still a time to be cautious. Pickpockets are everywhere in Spain, and the park is no different. You have to mindful and make sure you keep your eye on your things; and as an added bonus there are also plenty of gypsies in the park. Most of the ones you have to watch out for are older women trying to sell you these little leaves of rosemary for 1 or 2 Euros. Some of them will just put it in your hand and then ask for the money (refusing to take back the rosemary). This happened to a friend once and after that she never even looked at another gypsy. It sounds a bit harsh, but the best policy is to simply ignore them and always so no (and not with a smile), if you acknowledge them at all. No means the same thing in any language so there should be any misunderstanding when you say it.

Your Blogger,

C J

We also visited the Escurial monastery. It was the last excursion we had in Madrid. This one took a good chunk of the day, but it also got us out of a last day of school.  This one wasn’t one of our more exciting trips, but the tour guide spoke pretty clearly and the history behind the monastery was pretty cool. We saw the tombs of the past kings and other members of the royal family. If you go on this excursion you should be sure to take a sweater or light jacket (it may be hot outside but it pretty cool in the tombs).

We also had the chance to see the library at the monastery. I’m not big on libraries but in this case it was kind nice. We saw one of the first editions of the Odyssey. All the books were behind glass of course, but it was nice all the same. There were a few weird murals on the wall, a few hundred ancient literatures, and short tutorial about the whole thing, I’ve had worse times in a library before.

Your Blogger,

C J

One Excursion I actually didn’t mind was the trip to Cordoba. Cordoba is an excursion we took after our free weekend. It was during our last week in Madrid. We took a train to Cordoba and I have to say that traveling by train is a pretty nice way to get around. It took about two hours and it that went by fairly quickly. There was even a movie for the ride (not a great one but still it helped pass the time).  When we did get to Cordoba it was hot (like really hot), but other than that it was pretty nice.  After we arrived we made our way to the Great Mosque of Cordoba. This mosque was a bit confusing actually. It was a mosque that was converted into a cathedral after Cordoba was conquered by the Spanish king Ferdinand III. So when you walk in you see a catholic sanctuary and then if you make you way to the back of the build there is one room that is clearly of Muslim origins. It was formerly the Muslim capital in Spain, before Ferdinand.

After the mosque we paid a visit to the Botanical Gardens of Cordoba. It was pretty of course, but what I liked more than that was the zoo. After the garden we had free time to go see what we wanted before we had to meet back at the train station. A small group of us went to the zoo, and that was probably the best part of my day in Córdoba. There’s actually a zoo in Madrid that I’m pretty sure is bigger and more impressive but I thought Cordoba’s zoo did just fine. And after we were done in Córdoba we left for Madrid and had a nice, relaxing, and cool ride back.

Your Blogger,

C J