Now that it is my last week here in Spain, I am finally realizing how fast it all went. During the beginning I thought 5 months seemed like an eternity but now that feels like yesterday. I have learned a lot about Spain over these last five months and also myself. The culture of Spain was nothing like I imagined; myself including many people from the states believe Spanish culture is a lot like Central American or Mexican Spanish culture. This is a perception the Spaniards here have a good laugh about and love hearing what us “Americans” think at first. First of all, a tortilla here in Spain is not the tortilla you put under your taco, it is an extremely popular dish that is consumed almost a few times a week consisting of eggs, potatoes, and onions looking like a giant omelette. A tortilla can also refer to an omelette in general; everything is what you least expect it to be. I now know to never give chrysanthemums to a Spanish host mom again because they signify someone has died in your family. I know how to blend into a culture, clothing wise, and not look like the “American” that the Spaniards will stare at for every second they can until they walk by you in the street. (Currently for girls it a green jacket, boots, and neutral colors; no one will tell you are a foreigner in Europe). Also, understand people will stare at you speaking English, something you have to get used to, which is exactly the same as Americans staring at a German speaking their language in our country. Spaniards also do not look like Mexicans and they will also get very offended if you think of them as Mexican, especially in the north the people have Celtic influence and are usually very pale and some do have blond hair. There are no bulls or flamenco dancers in the north; this is only in the central or southern parts of the country and originated in the province of Seville. The list could go on forever of what I have learned about this amazing culture, a million memories that only 5 months completely submerged in another culture could have taught me.
As for myself, I feel as if I can now take on the world. I have learned so much about traveling using all forms of transportation in many different countries. Before coming to Spain, I had never used a public bus before, and now I know the lines of the city and where each can take you. I am no longer intimidated to ask anyone around me anything at all for help in a city I know nothing about in a language that isn’t my own. I know I can take any course and pass trying my very best after taking a third year course in biology completely in Spanish that needed prior biology knowledge I didn’t have. Just in general being open and friendly to anyone in any culture goes a very long way; you never know who someone is and how they could be a great friend even if you two can barely communicate. Studying abroad has changed me as a person in so many ways, but all only bettering me. I wouldn’t have traded this experience for anything and am so grateful for this time that has made such an impact on my life.
“Travel isn’t always pretty. It isn’t always comfortable. Sometimes it hurts. It even breaks your heart. But that’s okay. The journey changes you – it should change you. It leaves marks on your misery, on your consciousness, on your heart, on your body. You take something with you… Hopefully you leave something good behind. – Anthony Bourdain.
