One thing that American culture does differently compared to other countries is the amount of physical or emotional connection that is shared between each other. American people tend to keep more to themselves, as is typical for our isolationist culture. Instead of greeting each other with hugs and kisses on the cheeks as many other…
Category: Spain: University of Oviedo
Asturias
One thing I was not expecting was the difference in the way people eat in Spain. My host family generally would not eat breakfast and would begin their days on empty stomachs. Then lunch would be the largest meal of the day and would happen around 3pm. This meal was about catching up with the…
Oviedo, Spain
One thing I definitely had to adjust to while studying abroad in Spain was how a normal day was scheduled. Breakfast was around the same time as what I was used to, but lunch was later and more time was spent eating, and then there was a period of time set aside for siesta. I…
Final Blog Post – Oviedo, Spain
An aspect of Spanish culture that I had to adjust to were the behaviors of how late the local people ate meals. Typically, the people would eat lunch around 2-3pm and would not eat dinner until 8-10pm. This was an adjustment compared to how early people in America typically eat meals, but living with a…
Final Blog Post – Oviedo
One highlight from this semester and the Oviedo program was all of the opportunities to experience the culture of Asturias, such as the incredible Asturian food, the small towns included as excursions that would have otherwise been inaccessible, and of course, living with an Asturian host mom (Eva) and being able to experience, first-hand, daily…
Final Blog – John Kirkley
I just got back home after traveling to Oviedo, Asturias, Spain for the Fall 2022 semester. I loved every moment I spent in Spain: learning the language, the culture, and enjoying my first time in Europe by traveling to various countries. Overall, Europe is quite westernized, meaning there are not grand culture shocks when comparing…
Cultural Confrontation – Post 2
Looking back at the possible ups and downs that occur during a study abroad experience, my program in Spain has brought some of its own challenges that relate to these ups and downs through cultural and language differences. The most prominent confrontation I have faced through my first month here has been the language barrier. In…
Oviedo, Spain Post #1
Growing up in the United States, a common value that found among society and the lifestyles of Americans is the need for on-the-go food and service that accommodate a fast-paced lifestyle. Growing up here, I never realized how this value had become so important in American culture, and was so intertwined with all aspects of…
University of Oviedo- Reflection Post
I will forever be grateful for the four months I was fortunate enough to live and study in Spain. By the end of the semester abroad I made new international friends, core memories, and traveled more than I could ever expect. However within the first few weeks, there were a few cultural differences that were…
Oviedo Study Abroad Blog Post
During my time in Oviedo, Spain, I learned so much about Spanish culture and people, which in turn has made me a better and more open-minded person. Going into this program ready for completely new and eye-opening experiences, I was eager to learn as much about the culture as I could. Looking back on my…