Being immersed in the culture that speaks the language you are learning is one of the most interesting and effective ways to learn that language. Students enrolled in the 2012 study abroad program in Caceres, Spain had multiple opportunities to experience the Spanish culture first-hand. Besides attending regular classes at the University of Extremadura for 4 weeks, students were immersed in the daily life of Spaniards and participated in several cultural events and guided tours. The posts below highlight some of the experiential learning activities the program offers from the students’ point of view.
There are two things that stand out when I think of Spanish culture; bullfighting and flamenco. I had the pleasure of experiencing one of these firsthand. Seeing a live flamenco show in Seville, Spain was incredible! I didn’t realize how elaborate, yet simple, a show like this would be. The show was sectioned into several parts. The first part was a solo dance by the female, which was very beautiful. The second part included both the male and female. The foot stomps and hand claps had a rhythm that added to the majestic appeal of the dance. The simplicity of the music; which consisted of a guitarist and a female singer clapping her hands, was a strong compliment to the dance. The male dancer had an opportunity to perform solo as well, and I must admit it was very intriguing. It reminded me of American tap dance. The show ended with the singer and guitarist performing and the sound of acoustic guitar never sounded so sweet.
The magnitude of the show really hit me when I realized I was watching it in Andalucía, the origin of flamenco. There are not many people in my circle of friends that can say they experienced something as culturally significant as this. This unique experience is something I will cherish for years to come. The movements of the dancers were so fluid and the dramatic pauses had me on the edge of my seat. I’ve seen movies that incorporated scenes of flamenco, but there is nothing like seeing the real thing, live and in person. I have been intrigued to the point of doing a little background research on the dance. I always thought it was called “flamingo” dancing. My research proved that I wasn’t too far off. Flamenco is Spanish for flamingo, an elegant bird that is native to southern Spain. It is said to be named as such due to the resemblance of this bird. This is definitely and elegant dance. The authenticity of its tradition solidified my appreciation for flamenco as well as Spanish culture. I cannot look at any of my pictures from that night without thinking; Olé! Flamenco is a tradition I hope will live on.
por Joe
Getting Around Spain
Before my experience in Spain, traveling alone was one of my biggest fears, and I was even nervous to travel with anyone outside of my family. I always feared that I would get lost and be unable to find my way. As the program date approached, I realized that I would have to fly to Spain by myself, and I was incredibly nervous so much so that I almost did not want to study abroad anymore. However, traveling to Spain, spending a month in the country, and traveling home forced me to confront and overcome that fear to the point that I am excited to see the places I never would have seen before this experience.
I have never had to travel alone before, and the first time that I ever had to do it was my flight to Spain. Before I traveled to Spain, I made sure to find someone to fly with because I was so afraid of flying alone, but unfortunately that person decided not to continue with the program and did not go to Spain. I was very scared of getting lost even though I knew that it would not be so difficult. I was even more afraid that I would get lost in Madrid or arrive and not find the group that I was supposed to meet with, but I did find them even though they were located at another terminal. Both the flight and finding my way around Madrid proved not to be so difficult. There were of course moments where I was incredibly nervous and did not know where I was at or going, but in the end, I figured it out. I managed to overcome a language barrier and learned to questions when I really needed help as well.
During my time in Spain, I experienced so many different forms of transportation and got lost multiple times, but I always found my destination. I had to learn which buses to take, how to navigate a metro system, which trains to take, and I gained a better understanding of how to read a map. I learned how to choose cheaper transportation instead of taking a more expensive taxi. The cheaper options were not that much more difficult, but for a nervous traveler, it was a huge step to take power over my traveling experience into my own hands. I walked so many places, which was one of my favorite methods of reaching my destination, and whenever I got lost, I either turned around or took another turn because I knew that I would find my way. Traveling home was not as intimidating as traveling to Spain because I had overcome many of my fears the first time, but this portion of the trip required more methods of transportation. I had to take a bus to Madrid, take the metro to the airport, spend the night at the airport, fly to Miami, go through customs, then fly to Chicago. I arrived in Chicago with little issue and was left feeling incredibly proud of myself.
Prior to traveling to Spain, I was fearful of traveling to new places alone and had avoided traveling in the past because of that, but this experience forced me to overcome my fear. I am no longer afraid of traveling because I had to learn how to navigate so many unfamiliar situations and methods of transportation. I know that there will be moments where I have no idea what I am doing and will be incredibly nervous, but I also know that I will get through it. In fact, I went on a short road trip with my family once I returned from Spain and drove with my sister who did not know where we were going, but I was not afraid at all when we were unsure where to go or how to find our destination. Getting around Spain was one of the best experiences of my life, and I am incredibly thankful such an opportunity.
Kristina
Living with a Spanish family
Living with a Spanish family was very different growing up with an American family. When I first arrived at my apartment Cati, my host mother, had her mother there for three days. While the grandmother was there Cati was very traditional in the way that she would make a lot of food and try to get me to eat as much as possible. Not only that but the house was quiet during siesta, we would watch the news during lunch and not have conversations about politics or war. The day that the grandmother left the apartment Cati began staying up during siesta hours and listening to music or watching tv, we were watching the Simpsons during lunch, and having conversations about everything, including politics, war and the old dictator. It was also different living with a Spanish family because they cook a big meal at about two in the afternoon every day and eat just a small dinner at about ten, or whenever you feel like it. At my house in the United States after I eat a meal I do my own dishes, and most the time I even cook my own meals. It was very hard for me to get used to someone else cooking and cleaning up for me. It was also different to have her do my laundry for me. I do my own laundry at home, but Spanish mothers take care of those types of things for their house guests. The experience was amazing and I would definitely recommend it to anyone that has to opportunity to study abroad through this program.
Mike
Lessons Learned
During this Experiential Experience to Spain we manage to do a lot in one month. Although, the time seemed short for many of us, the experience within our classes was in one word to say amazing. Being able to experience everything by indulging in the Spanish culture first hand was great, but learning the history of this country in a classroom is not compared to how it would be taught in the States. It’s different to learn history off a book and taking test on the material, as opposed to learning the rich history and being able to see through the culture firsthand.
This class was meant to give us a good sense of the history and culture in Spain, and in my opinion it exceeded its purpose. We had various lessons we learned during the course of these two classes and it went back into ages before Christ all the way to the dictatorship into what Spain is today. Obviously Spain is a much older country than the United States, we also know that it was discovered by Christopher Columbus a Spaniard, but these classes made me see the real connection between both countries. I understood the many cultures and that lived in Spain before it was named Spain from the Ibericos, Pre-Romans, Muslims, and Catholics. Spain doesn’t just have history written on textbooks it’s on their land, customs, and cultures that carried on from the many different people that settled there. One thing that I learned was that when Columbus was asking for permission of Queen Isabel to set sail to the Americas, Spain was just getting their name Espana and the lands were taken from the Muslims that lived there all in 1492 the year that our country would be discovered. In the excursion to Seville I was able to go into a building and see all the original maps, letters, and documentation during these conquests and it amazed me to be able to see our history, the very beginning of it, in another country like Spain.
To be honest everything I learned through the books and through the culture was new, nothing of it was familiar to me but perhaps the language because Spanish is my native language. I am glad to have been able not only learn the history but to live in it by seeing all the palaces, castles, and cathedrals that still are standing and survived throughout every episode of their history.
Isabel
The historic part of the city
The historic part of the city is majestic. It is hard to fathom walking down streets where people have walked for thousands of years. I cannot imagine what it was like for them during the seven centuries of battle. It is heartbreaking to think that so many people died because of a difference of opinion. I know that change is hard, but to kill someone because they have different religious beliefs is devastating. I enjoyed seeing the different cultural influences in the city. The Roman structures that still stand today after all this time are impressive. The Muslim cisterns were particularly interesting to me, because my house is over one hundred years old and has an old cistern still intact.
Before I came here I was impressed with the one at my house. Needless to say, it does not compare to the ones here! We did not have time to see the Jewish part of the city, but I will definitely check that out on my own while I am here. I believe that I am Jewish on my maternal grandmother’s side of the family, but they denounced it because of persecution, which is sad. I would love to know my complete heritage, but because of religious persecution and people having to hide who they really were, this is not possible. The only part of the tour that I did not like was the elderly woman begging for money. I felt bad for her, but I do not have much money either, and I have three children to support. I really enjoyed the tour. Gemma did a wonderful job as our tour guide. I love how expressive she is. I am grateful to have had the experience. It is one that I will never forget!Jamie
Lifestyle in Spain
Compared to the United States of America, Spain has a very laid-back, easy-going lifestyle. To me, it seems like one of the most important things for Spaniards is to enjoy life. From mid-day siestas to bullfighting to partying until 11am, Spain’s lifestyle is much different from the lifestyles found in many other countries.
For Spaniards, lunch is the most important meal of the day. Stores and other businesses shut down from the hours of 2-5 to accommodate family lunch and a “siesta”, which is a mid-day nap. At these hours of the day, the family comes together in order to eat a big meal and then take a nap afterwards. Breakfast usually consists of fruit, cereal, or tostadas, and dinner usually consists of something small. I believe the lunch/siesta tradition is a good thing because it allows family to spend a couple hours a day together, no matter how busy their schedules may be. It also allows for a period to relax and unwind some stress.
Bullfighting is a common activity in Spain. Bullfights usually start at 8pm and last for about 2-3 hours. Normally, 6 bulls get killed in each bullfight. I went to a bullfight in Madrid and as I was feeling sorry for the bulls, I noticed almost all of the Spaniards were jumping out of their seats and cheering every time a bull got stabbed and died. They are so used to the activity that they just view it as a norm.
Partying in Spain is also rather different from partying in the United States. Spaniards usually start their night around 11pm or 12pm and go from bar to bar and discoteca (club) to discoteca. In Spain, the drinking age is 18, but there are also kids much younger than that drinking in the streets and at botellons, which is a street people go to at night in order to drink with their friends. Spaniards normally party until 11am and then go out to get coffee and churros. Churro places in Spain open around 4am in order to accommodate the partiers.
During my one-month stay in Spain, I got accustomed to the lifestyle and grew to like it very much. Spaniards are granted time to relax and spend with family each day, which I believe is a very brilliant practice. It allows for families to become closer, and for the people to relieve a little of the day’s stressors. Also, activities such as bullfighting and their partying lifestyle posed to be great experiences that cannot be found in many other countries. Overall, I enjoyed the lifestyle in Spain very much, and I hope to visit again, soon.
Shirin
Alcazar/Cathedral in Seville
As part of the Spain study abroad program, we took a trip to Seville. On the second day we had a tour guide take us to the major attractions around Seville. Our two main stops were the Alcazar and Cathedral. Seville was full of tourists from all over the world. I was memorized by the beauty of the Garden at Alcazar, just so much detail. The palace itself was breathtaking, once being an Arabic Palace turned in Christian. The architecture done by the Muslims was amazing; on some of the walls they had inscribed passages from the Koran. The titling throughout was so colorful, and some even had little animals painted on it. Then just when you think it can´t get any more fantastic we stumbled upon a large waterfall fountain with fish in it and one was a gold fish. Then we walked over to the Cathedral, which is a Mosque turned into a Catholic church. The Cathedral is the world´s largest church. The art work is so colorful and beautiful. This is where the Royal Family holds their weddings; I tried to get on the waiting list but it´s a little long. There was a room with crowns they use for holidays. The painting that was stolen and then returned was interesting, because I don´t know how someone could have done that without getting caught. Another interesting bonus was getting to see the tomb of Christopher Columbus, even though it´s just a little bit of his ashes. Also, in the Alcazar there is a room just for Christopher Columbus, with a painting of Virgin Mary watching the boats sail to America. We came so close to becoming a Spanish speaking nation. I think these were my favorite places, because the presentation I´m writing for the class is on the Al-Andalus. So seeing these places let me see in real life the effect the Al-Andalus had on Spanish architecture.
Tiffany
Group Dynamic and Adjusting to a New Culture
One of my main fears about going on this trip was that I did not know anyone. I did not know any of the students going nor did I know anyone who lived in Spain. However, the good thing is that this was true for most of the other students as well. One of the challenges, however, is that only a couple of us had phones that worked in Spain. So this made communicating with other students hard. But we had Facebook and we were able to coordinate meeting places and time. I think we were extremely fortunate because everyone got along pretty well on this trip.
Another huge plus is Clara, one of the trips coordinator’s daughter, went out of her way to include us in her group of friends. So even though I went out to Spain alone, I was never alone. I was surrounded by friends from both Purdue and in Spain. It was really an amazing experience. All I had to do was check our Spain group on Facebook to see what everyone was planning for the night. All events and plans were always open to other Purdue students and our friends in Spain.
From my personal experience it is challenging to adjust to a new culture in one month. However, my host mom and all of our friends in Spain were extremely welcoming and open. So I personally never feel excluded nor did I notice any other students being excluded. Things that was hard to adjust to was siesta, the big lunch, and the really late dinner. Everything shuts down from 2 p.m. till 6 p.m. so if you needed to buy something you had to plan it accordingly. This culture loves food and it was important to be prepared to eat a lot during lunch. Finally because of siesta everyone tends to stay up really late and eat late dinners. It was a hard routine to adjust to, but it is definitely doable. Overall the group dynamic was amazing, and the culture was fun.
Brandon
The Eurocup
Watching the Eurocup in Spain was a marvelous time. I had never fully watched a soccer game before until I came to Spain. I never knew how talented the players were and how entertaining it was to watch them play. They all moved so smoothly and passed the ball to each other so easily as if they all could hear each other´s thoughts. I watched in awe as I saw how invincible Spain´s goalie was and it was so much fun cheering for the team! Furthermore, because of Clara, we were able to meet some of her friends for all the games and became close with them. We always had fun every game and we were able to talk to them in Spanish and English about the U.S. and Spain. I enjoyed this very much and I learned how the Eurocup works and that Spain had won it the last two times. I also noticed that the fans are very passionate about the games; more so than the fans in the U.S. We were also witnessing history! I couldn´t ask for a better time to be in Spain! The final game was played the last Sunday that we were here and I felt super lucky that we were here just in time to see it all. I think witnessing the Eurocup was definitely an important part of Spanish culture and we were fortunate to be right in the middle of it all, witnessing it game by game. I´m so happy I was able to watch Spain win every game, in Spain, with Spaniards. It was certainly an unforgettable experience.
Amy
Lifestyle in Spain
Spending a month in a different country is likely to teach you much, if you allow it. I don’t suppose anything I experienced while abroad was a guaranteed to be absorbed by me; nor would it be to those who make the same decision I did. The breadth of that which was learned by myself and those with whom I travelled is staggering, as one might discern, and, for that matter, I won’t be able to touch on any significant portion of them. Many of the things that you may expect (respect for other cultures, realization of the differences between one’s own mannerisms/lifestyles and those of people’s from different origins, appreciation for that which one has, etc.) were all very present and well-realized. However, these things were unsurprising and may not apply to all who share the experience I had. Something I hadn’t expected to learn to the degree which I had was that it’s possible to disconnect oneself from the seemingly important minutia of everyday life.
I don’t expect my lifestyle to be universal among my peers or anyone who may be reading this, but certain things are extraordinarily common. That being said, many people, especially those around my age, seem to own a phone that benefits them access to a wealth of information, constant access to their peers, and an unending stream of distraction. On top of that, many people, myself included, are engrossed in this technology, seemingly unable to refuse it for brief moments in time. Throughout my time in Spain, I was left severed from the perpetual vibrations which caused me to check my phone every ten minutes. I had no direct access to my friends or family in the United States, nor did I have it to those with whom I travelled. It was surprising, to be sure, that we were able to consistently meet without any troubles sans this ultra-familiar technology. Additionally, I was worried in the beginning of our trip that something may happen to a family member or friend and I would have a delayed notification of it. I quickly realized how obsessive I could be with this. The world didn’t stop because I had. Everything was OK when I checked on things at night. Nothing changed. At all. In addition to that, I talked conversations with people for several hours at a time where no cell phones were checked, no text messages were received/responded to, and no ringtones were heard. In removing that barrier, so much was added to my interpersonal relationships with people who I’ve gotten to know well during my month in Spain.
There were a lot of things that I learned on this trip. As I said before, most of them were expected. Don’t get me wrong, they were appreciated and very important; but, nothing surprised me as much as learning that it’s acceptable to remove yourself from the matters that bring constant worry. In fact, I’d say it’s more than acceptable: it’s beneficial.
Jake
Mérida
Situated in western Spain, the city of Merida has a fascinating history, and is a wonderful place to visit. Though not very large, Merida also functions as the governmental center for the autonomous community of Extramadura, which includes the provinces of Caceres and Badajoz.
Merida was at one time one of the most important cities in the Roman Empire, and presently boasts some of the most impressive ancient Roman archaeological sites in the world. In 25 B.C., the emperor Augustus founded the city on the banks of the Guadiana River in order to protect the bridge over the river, and defend the approaches to what was then called the Roman province of Lusitania. Additionally, Merida served as a retirement community for Roman soldiers, especially high ranking officers. Roman officers were paid well, and most often came from wealthy families, and the homes, buildings, and other structures that were built to accommodate these men were constructed from very high-quality materials. For this reason the Roman ruins of Merida have survived to the present day in remarkable condition. To name just a few, Merida is home to the world’s most well-preserved Roman circus maximus, the second-longest bridge in the Roman Empire (which is a kilometer long and is still in use as a pedestrian foot bridge,) and several impressive examples of Roman aqueducts. There are a number of other structures to see as well, including an amphitheater (which is also still used in the summer,) a gladiator arena, and Roman baths.
After the fall of the Roman Empire, Merida was controlled by the Visigoths until the Muslim invasion, during the early eighth-century. The Muslims captured much of the south and western part of the Iberian Peninsula, including the city of Merida, and their presence left a lasting mark on the history and architecture of Spain. Nowhere in Merida is the Muslim presence more obvious than at the Alcazaba, a ninth-century Muslim fortress in the heart of Merida. The Muslims were genius builders and architects, and they reused cut stone from Roman buildings to construct this fortress that is still standing over a thousand years later. Merida was under Muslim control for almost five-hundred years, until being retaken by Christian forces in the thirteenth-century, and the synthesis of different cultures in this city is fascinating.
Presently Merida is home to approximately 60,000 residents, which is approximately one-quarter of its population when it was part of the Roman Empire. Although tourism plays a part in Merida’s economy, the city did not seem to be inundated with tourists, which only added to the city’s charm. The archeological sites, and architecture, in Merida are absolutely amazing, and the small museum downtown is extremely informative. Merida is a beautiful place, and I would highly recommend a visit to anyone traveling in western Spain.
Amos
Diferencia cultural
Living in Spain for a month has opened my eyes in ways that I can’t even express. It is an experience that I will never regret. Now, I know that there is so much more in the world other than what I knew the states. Many people talk about other countries but I feel it is a figment of my imagination because hearing about other countries and experiencing them are totally two different things. Granted, this is my second year experiencing Spain but I have learned a lot within the last year two years. I am going to share my experience in what I have observed during my stay in Spain and some of the topics that I have learned.
Living in a Spanish home is overwhelming but in a good way. I remember when I first came to Spain and how excited I was to embrace my experience and the family that had allowed me to stay in their home. Yes, I did return to the same family but I had no idea what this year held for me. So I didn’t know what to expect and how it was going to turn out. Coming a second time allowed me to experience Spain in a different way. Most Americans, I feel, are very precautions of their surroundings that they fail to let their guard down because of their own personal experiences in the states and also stereotypes of other countries. I was scared last year because of certain movies or stereotypes that I heard prior to my travel. In a way the fear hinder some of my experience last year. Since I was able to feel out the environment last year I think this year I had more of an open-mind. Here are some of my observations:
We, Americans, have a personal bubble that doesn't allow for new fellowship or a different experience. When going to the “Mercado“ in Spain people are so friendly and wanting to socialize that they spend a good ten minutes talking with someone they know. That doesn't happen in the States. Americans like to put their face down and avoid anyone that they might know or if they don't want to talk to them. Spaniards like to touch and don't believe in a personal bubble. They also like to speak very strong; however, Americans do speak strong sometimes, but; in my opinion most of the time they speak rudely and uneducated. Spain is very family orientated. For lunch everyone comes home to eat together. The mom sets the table and cooks a fantastic meal everyday just to enjoy spending time with people they love. In my opinion, the families in Spain are very close and well-knit. Yes, they do have their falling outs but they still love each other. I know in my own personal life I have experience family fights where the family members will not speak for months maybe years at a time. The mother is always asking question such as how was your day or what did you learn. In the America families are not like that and that is sad to say. I think Spaniards are unique and close because of their historical history. Spain has been through so much that it seems surreal. Roman invasion to being under a dictatorship has influenced the way they are.
In conclusion, experiencing a country is far better than just learning about the country. You get hands on learning, observations and your own story. I love Spain. I even I love Caceres more than my hometown because of the environment, the safety, and the way the people are so welcoming. I desire to live in Caceres someday.
Savannah
El mercadillo
The shopping in Caceres is much like in any city in the United States. There was no giant mall like in the suburbs, instead, smaller stores all over the city. The strange thing for me was the amount that stores repeated. There was two or three of the same stores, within blocks. Another difference is the attention that you receive while in the stores. In the United States you are constantly bombarded with salesmen or women trying to guide you into making purchases. In Spain they leave you alone until you approach them for help or to check out. The sales in Spain also work differently. In the U.S. sales can be held whenever and wherever and every store is offering promotions at different times. In Spain the month of July is the big sale time. It was a wonderful opportunity to be there in early July because we were able to enjoy the shopping experience and not break our wallets.
The Spanish market is a very prevalent part in a Spanish society. People cram on buses or take the hike by foot and flood the streets searching through the many tents to find the best deal. I personally was overwhelmed with the size of the market and pressure from vendors to buy if your eyes so much as glanced at their merchandise. There were a large number of tents, most of which were set up by gypsies, selling clothing, shoes and oddly enough selling lots of underwear. There were mostly items that you could buy at stores in the city but the prices were much less. I was hoping for more antiques or cool random items that you might normally find at a flea market, so the market was not my favorite. However, the market was very large and who knows what was lying around the corners I didn't take? Although the mercadillo was not my favorite part of the trip it was an experience I am glad we took. It was interesting to see the differences in culture and so many different people brought together, especially the gitanos.
Mary William
