Hola Todos,
The second week as flown by and chemistry feels like its going even faster. I don't think that I have ever taken a class that has had a test after 5 days of class. That being said it definitely is a lot of information to keep up with but I actually seem to be enjoying the speed and format of the class. It keeps me focused and more attentive than normal especially since it is the only science class I am currently focused on.
Cultural differences that have been jumping out at me...
My Señora is adamant that I take a siesta after lunch because she says that it is good for my digestion and it will make for better study time.
It is still a little hard getting used to things being closed from 2-7 as this a normally a very active time back home.
Though I definitely can feel the hunger creep in I'm starting to get used to later meals with lunch at about 2:30 and dinner somewhere in the neighborhood of 9:30.
Energy conservation is a big thing here as we do not have lights on during the day and only run air conditioning for the room that you are in. Some people in the program aren't lucky enough to have that luxury.
Also I get the feeling that people have more a stone or blank look on their faces as they are walking around here.
Settling into the schedule here though I am getting comfortable. I am starting to find my way around the city pretty well even without a map. I am realizing that there will likely not be enough time to see everything that I want to but I am doing my best. Some of the highlights so far would be Plaza de España and the Cathedral of Sevilla.
Walking through old town early this week really made me feel like I was in another country (as if the other language aspect hadn't yet). The stores are close together with the streets only being wide enough for 3 people to pass at a time. I was overwhelmed by how many different directions there were to go and so many stores to walk through. Many had mainly touristy items but if you kept looking some stores had some special items and artwork which I will be returning to in order to bring gifts back home to family and friends.
Simply put the food here is exquisite. My señora loves to cook and when I am not getting a meal from here I'm sharing tapas with friends or stopping in the panadería after class. There are a lot of new flavors and new dishes to try so I am sure that the food is something that I will miss when I return home.
The Spanish has been coming back to me better than I expected. It has been a full year since I have had a formal Spanish class but I have been able to practice some before coming here and I reviewed some which I would highly recommend. My Señora said that my speaking has gotten significantly better which was very encouraging to hear! While I have noticed that it has made grammar and spelling in English slightly more difficult...
This weekend we have a program trip to Cordoba and Granada which I have heard wonderful things about. I'm sure there will be a lot to update in the next entry as well as some pictures. Until then...
Hasta Luego
Thursday, July 9, 2015
Wednesday, July 1, 2015
Semana Primera
So I really meant to post as soon as I got here and then the first weekend and so on... Anyway let's blame that on culture shock and jet lag.
Traveling here went well and I had no problems meeting up with others in the Madrid airport as we went to the train station to head to Sevilla. The first week here has gone fast. Thrown right into the mix of speaking Spanish I barely had time to catch my breathe but it has come back to me better than expected as it has been a while since I had a Spanish class.
We didn't stop except to put our bags down when we got to Sevilla before we went out exploring. Walking through the first park we ran into we stumbled into Plaza de España and it is still as stunning to look as the first day we saw it. I have been running in Parque de Maria Luisa and enjoy every time I get to pass it.
Start of the culture shock was definitely when Yuri, my roommate, and I went to move in with our host mom. Instinctively I went to shake her hand, and in Spanish of course she said, "No, here we kiss." Can't say I have introduced myself this was but its another to check off the list. She has been exceptionally welcoming making sure that we are comfortable and that we have everything we need and then some. She cooks so much food! As the meals are more spaced out than I am used to I eat way too much but it has been good every time. Breakfast is small, lunch is very large and served at 2:30 and dinner is a medium meal served not until almost 10 most nights. Strangely I feel like I have gotten used to this quicker than expected.
There has been so much to explore and see as with any new place. I know I won't be able to see everything before I leave but I will give it my best shot. Today we went to the cathedral that is the largest in the world. It was awe inspiring the magnitude of the craftsmanship that went into this church. Along with this I have been taking pictures of so many buildings and parks around Sevilla.
Chemistry has taken off fast for sure but so far is seeming manageable especially because I have other people that are in the same boat and studying along side me. First test is 5 days in so that is a shock for sure... we'll see how it goes. Overall the first week has been a fantastic experience and I am probably most excited about working on my Spanish speaking abilities right now.
Traveling here went well and I had no problems meeting up with others in the Madrid airport as we went to the train station to head to Sevilla. The first week here has gone fast. Thrown right into the mix of speaking Spanish I barely had time to catch my breathe but it has come back to me better than expected as it has been a while since I had a Spanish class.
We didn't stop except to put our bags down when we got to Sevilla before we went out exploring. Walking through the first park we ran into we stumbled into Plaza de España and it is still as stunning to look as the first day we saw it. I have been running in Parque de Maria Luisa and enjoy every time I get to pass it.
Start of the culture shock was definitely when Yuri, my roommate, and I went to move in with our host mom. Instinctively I went to shake her hand, and in Spanish of course she said, "No, here we kiss." Can't say I have introduced myself this was but its another to check off the list. She has been exceptionally welcoming making sure that we are comfortable and that we have everything we need and then some. She cooks so much food! As the meals are more spaced out than I am used to I eat way too much but it has been good every time. Breakfast is small, lunch is very large and served at 2:30 and dinner is a medium meal served not until almost 10 most nights. Strangely I feel like I have gotten used to this quicker than expected.
There has been so much to explore and see as with any new place. I know I won't be able to see everything before I leave but I will give it my best shot. Today we went to the cathedral that is the largest in the world. It was awe inspiring the magnitude of the craftsmanship that went into this church. Along with this I have been taking pictures of so many buildings and parks around Sevilla.
Chemistry has taken off fast for sure but so far is seeming manageable especially because I have other people that are in the same boat and studying along side me. First test is 5 days in so that is a shock for sure... we'll see how it goes. Overall the first week has been a fantastic experience and I am probably most excited about working on my Spanish speaking abilities right now.
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