Studying in Spain was the biggest step out of my comfort zone I have ever taken. This period of time forced me into assuming a strong sense of independence unlike anything I had ever experienced before. I was living in a space where I had to completely rely on myself to communicate with a different…
Tag: Pitt in Spain
Four Trains, Three Cabs, and Two Buses in One Weekend
Three weeks into the program, I was starting to feel more settled in Alcalá. Classes were in full swing, the town was familiar, and traveling in Spain was far less intimidating than when I arrived. I felt very comfortable and in control of navigating the country independently. I was also planning on visiting Málaga over…
Living Quirks with a Spanish Host
You can’t know the things that you don’t know until presented with the opportunity to learn. I often found that major cultural differences—siestas, late-night dinners, and a relaxed sense of time—were not too difficult to get accustomed to as they were daily occurrences established early on. Throughout my experience in Spain, the main sources of…
Déjà Vu of Freshman Year: Initial Reactions to Spain
A person’s first semester of college is such a unique period of time. It ends almost as quickly as it started, but many look back on it with nostalgia. That newfound sense of independence with fresh faces and unfamiliar places only happens once. I could hardly believe it when that same feeling returned as I…
Who knew I’d miss making mistakes?
In high school Spanish, we learned “aretes” as the word for earrings, so when I asked for them at a museum gift shop, the employee grabbed them for me. But she also taught me that Spain says “pendientes” for earrings and “aretes” is mostly heard in South America. When my friends and I were leaving…
Always Walking in Alcalá
We discovered that Alcalá has public pools on our walk home from the train station. After our first weekend in Madrid, my roommates and I took the train back then walked to our host house. It was the first time we had walked in that area of the city and we discovered many new details…
Hasta Luego, España: A Farewell Full of Memories
As my time in Spain draws to a close, I can’t help but reflect on what an incredible journey this past month has been. I loved every moment of my study abroad experience and truly made the most of it. My study abroad experience exceeded all expectations, leaving me with unforgettable memories, deep connections, and…
A Medio Terminar: Embracing New Cultures and Experiences
It’s hard to believe that I’ve already been in Spain for two weeks, and I’m absolutely loving every moment! The thought of leaving is bittersweet—I wish I could stay longer to fully soak in the incredible culture and experiences here. Alcalá de Henares Life in Alcalá de Henares is distinct from my routine back home…
Goodbye, Spain.
During my time in Spain, I learned much more about life outside the United States, foreign affairs, and my own ability to navigate life independently. Being exposed to a new culture allowed me to experience daily life from a different perspective and appreciate the ideals their society is centered around. Total immersion in another culture…
Halfway Point: A Deeper Dive into Local Spanish Culture
There are so many differences between Spain and the United States that I’m sure I could write a book on just the experiences I’ve had so far, despite only being halfway through my stay in Spain. While I would love to go into detail about how my typical day-to-day life differs from that of my…