Social life in Spain, by Ashley Carbonier

Social life in Spain From my experience here in Spain, I increasingly have noticed how different the social scene is and how Spaniards interact with others. I have made a lot of comparisons to the US and the cultural and social norms of where I live back at home, and it has been interesting to notice and analyze the differences between the different cultures. Here in Spain, people go out on weekdays and spend time with their friends drinking at tapas bars or restaurants, and it is seen as abnormal to go to another person’s house or apartment to hang out or spend the night. In the US, going out on weekdays really isn’t that common, except maybe if it's for a casual dinner, and socializing is spent a lot more in the home, where I invite my friends over a lot and we have sleepovers, make dinner, etc, and it typically is not accompanied by a drink, and typically occurs more on the weekends. I have also noticed that it is respectable to kiss people on the cheek two times when greeting someone, even strangers that they are meeting for the first time; if this was done in the US, people would be very caught off guard and it would be seen as something very strange. This topic of socializing relates to the topic we discussed in class about how we can define “normal” and what is considered to be normal and abnormal. It really all depends on the culture and environment you grew up in, because for Spaniards, these actions and social habits are seen as normal, and they would probably view our social habits in the US as abnormal, and vice versa for people in the United States. We have to recognize that our views and what we constitute as abnormal and normal comes from our own personal experience, and this doesn’t make social actions or practices universally right or wrong. Rather, we need to accept that what might be abnormal for some, may be normal for others, and this will allow us to become better global citizens and engage appropriately with others. 

Article link: 

https://culturalatlas.sbs.com.au/spanish-culture/spanish-culture-etiquette

Gym Etiquette in Spain, by Sergio Castro

I was lucky enough to live in an apartment building with many other students in the building. As part of the amenities there is a pool, a gym, an elevator, among other things. When I got to Spain I was really surprised at how people interact in the building, more specifically at the gym. In the U.S people mostly ignore each other at the gym. If you need a spotter, you ask somebody you know or you don’t ask. I see the same people at the gym every day in the U.S and to be honest we’ve never said hi to each other. In the building it's very different, I’ve been asked plenty of times for a spot. People I only saw one day, say hi to me the next time they see me. They also don’t shy away for asking to take turns on the machine or asking if you are done. The elevator experience is also really different. I get in and people say good night, hi, or any other kind of cordial meeting. At my school, people just get in and start using their phone. So it’s a really friendly and neighborly type of living. I really enjoyed living at my building this past semester. People were really kind and open to talk. There was also a lot activities at the building to get to know one another.

There wereIMG_3203 1.PNG people at the gym so I could not take a photo of it but that is the view.

Work Schedules

Over the past three months living in Sevilla, there have been a couple of things that I have noticed that are very different from the lifestyle in the US, one being that the work schedules are very different. Spanish people, from what I have noticed, really value their time away from their jobs and spending that time with family and friends. They make sure that they have time throughout the day to relax and spend time with others that they love and care about. You can see this everywhere in Sevilla, from getting beers with friends at 2pm, closed restaurants during siesta time and reopen around 8pm, most grocery stores and restaurants are closed on Sunday are among some of the things that I have noticed. For a lot of things being closed on Sundays, Spain being a Catholic country also plays a role, however, Spanish families also take that time to spend it with ones that they care about. Sevilla football games are also something that will shut down the city. If there is an important match, especially for the Real Betis vs Sevilla game, there are no stores open except for some bars where you could watch the game. Before coming to Spain, I had heard about famous siesta time, but didn’t really think anything of it until I actually got here and needed to buy something on a Sunday and I couldn’t because all of the stores were closed. It was just something that I had never really thought about in the US, where the average work day is from 9-5, and most restaurants and stores are open every day of the week. One of the first things that we discussed in class was what is culture, which we defined as the ideas, values, and things that we cannot see. The different work schedules is a cultural difference from the US, as it is part of the environment that people have created in Spain. Even though at first I thought it to be a little different that people would want to take a break in the middle of the day for a couple of hours to chat with friends, I have come to appreciate that time and do exactly what it was meant for, to share that time with the friends that I have made abroad.

Street near Plaza de Cuba is empty in the middle of the afternoon because of siesta time.

https://perezlegalgroup.com/business-hours-in-spain/#:~:text=In%20general%20the%20working%20day,and%20retail%20(see%20below).

Spanish oil, by Jolie Shedd

Spain produces the most olive oil in the world. Olive oil is very important to Spain’s economy and has been hit with rising prices due to drought causing a decreased output of olives grown (see news article link below). This was something I did not know before coming to Spain and I would have guessed the answer was Italy. However, this makes sense to me now because the Spanish love their olive oil. I remember my surprise when I went to the grocery store and saw the huge jugs it’s sold in. My host mom puts olive oil on everything from rice to eggs, which was a foreign concept to me. If she doesn’t drizzle olive oil on top, then she is cooking it in olive oil. However, I think their use of olive oil is a statement to their generally healthy Mediterranean diet. Even though I perceive the Spanish use of olive oil on practically everything to be peculiar, it is completely normal to them. In Unit 2, we talked about how culture affects the mind. One of the things we learned about was that “membership in a culture is sharing with others of conceptions about what can be taken as ordinary”. This can be related to my confusion about the amount of olive oil I was consuming at the beginning of my stay abroad due to not belonging to Spanish culture. Cultural differences in what is a normal-sized container of olive oil are also evident because in Spanish culture they are huge, compared to the small-sized containers in the United States. I can say that being immersed in Spanish culture has changed my views on olive oil, which was a completely unexpected outcome. However, I am certain when I go home I will swap out my butter for it much more frequently.

https://www.euronews.com/business/2023/10/03/spain-hit-hard-by-rising-price-of-olive-oil-as-climate-change-takes-its-toll-on-production

More dog friendly?, by Sierra Curro

When you pet a dog it is known that the body releases serotonin and dopamine… so I am truly lucky to be living in Spain. I have found Spain to be extremely dog friendly! Whenever you pass outside seating at a restaurant there is a high chance there will be a dog laying at its owners feet under the table, while shopping between the clothing racks at Zara you might see a little dog face, on the patio tours in Cordoba you bet there are dogs roaming around amongst the tourists’ feet, strolling down any street or even la plaza de España you’ll see a dog tugging at its leash, and even as you are choosing what fruit you want at the grocery store there might be a dog sniffing around. I am not used to seeing so many dogs in so many different places. In the United States there is a lot of love for dogs and they are allowed in a lot of places outdoors, but it isn’t common to be strolling through the mall and see a dog. Additionally, you’ll get in a lot more trouble for bringing dogs into places with food. I worked at a grocery store and sometimes when people brought their dogs in, the boss would approach them and tell them they needed to leave it outside so then there would be a lot of dogs tied up outside. Recently, in September, animal welfare laws became stricter in Spain and one of the rules is that dogs cannot be tied up in public places - so you won’t see dogs outside grocery stores looking for their owners or outside stores like in the US. Additionally, the law states that dogs cannot be left alone for more than 24 hours so it makes sense that people will bring their dogs more places with them and Spain has made it more accessible to do so. Also, dogs in Spain have more regulations like muzzles or a short leash required in public spaces and a new law says that dogs must complete a training course which means that the behavior will improve. If dogs are well behaved they are more welcome in more public places. Dog friendliness may not be what people think of when they think of Spain but I have noticed it as a part of the culture. As we’ve discussed in class, culture stems from human made things and Spain has made laws to allow for the cultural norm of dog friendliness to continue. The connection between dogs and the public has been established as a behavior that is acceptable in Spain. This is not the case with all places one may go because culture cannot be viewed through the same lens everywhere. Dog culture in the US has its differences like tying up dogs outside and stricter rules on where dogs can go in public spaces. Spain on the other hand excuses more welcomeness towards canines and puts in effort to make laws protecting dogs. Personally, I am glad I could step out of my own culture to see what another place values. Dogs truly are man’s best friend in Spain.

Outside References:

 https://www.euronews.com/2023/09/29/spains-new-animal-welfare-law-explained-what-you-canand-cant-do#:~:text=Animals%20cannot%20be%20allowed%20to,pets%20one%20can%20have%3A%20five.https://www.surinenglish.com/spain/these-are-the-most-important-changes-that-20230822143759-nt.html

The Healthier Lifestyle in Spain, by Lily O'Donnell

In the past three months of studying abroad in Seville, one of the main things that I have noticed is how much healthier of a lifestyle people living in Spain have compared to the United States. There are many different contributing factors to this. One is the slower mealtimes, which lessens people from going to drive-thrus or eating fast food. Instead, people slowly eat and spend time with family and friends, which is also so healthy! In addition to this, the food that is more common in Spain is the Mediterranean diet. This diet is characterized by olive oil, fruits, vegetables, nuts, whole grains, and seafood. All of which are very healthy, nutrient dense foods.

Other than meals, Spain also has a healthy culture because of how much walking people do. In the United States, people rarely walk places, but rather choose to drive. A 10 minute walk in the States is enough for someone to take their car out of the garage and drive instead. However, in Spain, people walk everywhere! They walk to the doctor, to the grocery store, to visit their friends, and to all types of places. Walking is so healthy for your body, and it helps you to work in an active lifestyle, which is very different from many places in the United States.
Overall, there are many reasons that I have noticed Spaniards are healthier than people from the United States, but meals and walking are two of the main areas that I notice it most. In cultural psychology class, we have discussed how when you are living in another culture can teach you more about your own home culture. By living in Spain, I have learned a lot about the unhealthy lifestyle that many Americans have. I hope that I can change this when I get home. I am excited to bring home some of my favorite meals, and plan to walk more in my daily life, and rely less on a car.
 
News Source: https://thespanishradish.com/spanish-radish-blog/why-is-the-spanish-lifestyle-so-healthy-top-10-reasons/#:~:text=Central%20to%20the%20Spanish%20way,health%20to%20mental%20well%2Dbeing.

 

Slow down and Appreciate, by Charlotte Luddy

As I came to Spain, I was coming off of a pretty busy summer in which I was going to work everyday, interacting with family and friends and traveling a ton. I would often eat breakfast on the way to work, and just felt a constant sense of being “on the go”. As soon as I arrived in Spain, everything felt slow. From the pace of people walking on the street, to the times that places opened for breakfast, even to the lengthy meal times. I had grown quite accustomed to the immediate gratification of getting what I wanted when I wanted it. Everything here moves slower, though. At first, I was confused and perhaps thrown off by this. Why couldn’t things just be always accessible? Did this store really have to be closed on Sunday? Sure, a nice sit down meal sounds good every now and then but did every single lunch have to stop the day? As we talked about in class, perhaps the more individualistic mindset as an American can foster this sort of on the go stress that can be slowed down when faced with a shared meal with friends. My frustration soon turned into a deep appreciation for the slower pace of life. I did not understand just how rushed my mindset was when I had come into the semester, but gradually the Spanish culture wore on me and helped me to slow down, take a step back, and appreciate whatever was in front of me. Sure, there were still times when I wanted to get on with my day, or had to fly past some slower walkers on the street. But, overall, my time in Spain has really helped me to appreciate the little things in life and the value of taking it easy as I move through the things that I have before me each day. As shown in this article,https://www.alifeinprogress.ca/a-slower-pace/, sometimes asking “Do I need to be this stressed or am I on autopilot?” Is a good question.

Socialization in Spain, by Julia Kim-Matsuda

For such a small city Seville is, I did not expect to see so many people out as I do on a casual weekday. This goes for all times during the day (except for siesta time of course). I can be out at 11 am or 9 pm and there are always people out walking on the streets. As I traveled around other cities in Spain, I kept noticing the same trend. Everyone is always outside, just grabbing a drink and socializing. I can’t help but wonder how brutal it must have been during the COVID-19 pandemic in this country. I was having a difficult time in Canada, and I can count the number of times I go out with others in a month on one hand.

As I adjusted to the culture more, I learned that this is because it is much easier to go out to socialize with others than to invite them over to your home as houses here are much smaller compared to the US or Canada. Going out is also significantly cheaper here compared to Canada or America. Going out for drinks, especially as a university student, can be quite taxing on the wallet. Living here has made me more aware of the relationship between the civil design of cities and the economy of the country can play into the collectivistic, tight-knit nature of the culture here in Spain. But most importantly, I found that Spaniards rather prioritize nurturing social relationships. North American culture heavily revolves around productivity and being economical with time. You can see this in the demographic of people you would see at a bar in these countries. For example, there would be many people doing business over drinks, whereas in Spain people will go to bars with the sole intention of enjoying the company of others. The culture of focusing on human connection is something I came to appreciate and prefer during my time here and hope to implement in my life when I return home.

https://jetsettimes.com/countries/spain/barcelona/barcelona-diaries/because-time-passes-more-slowly-in-spain/

Happiness in Spain, by Nate Kong

Prior to my time abroad, here in Seville, I had very little pre-conceived notion of Spanish life. I have heard about the tapas, the language difference, the siestas, etc. but I didn’t have a good grasp of what everyday life and everyday people would be like. Upon arrival it was very evident that the emphasis on life satisfaction and enjoyment was much larger in Spain than in the US. I have discussed with some of the locals how in Spain people “work to live” rather than “live to work”, the latter being something that is promoted in American society.

This emphasis on Enjoying life (a part of Dieners 1984 three factor approach to happiness, falling under Positive feelings) is seen all over the streets of Seville as I go about my day. Friends and family constantly gather around the outdoor tables of various tapas places, not for the sake of a culinary experience, but rather to enjoy the company of those they are with. The relaxed nature of the locals, who never seem to be in a rush. Even the dietary habits of Spain promote a healthy lifestyle with little to no breakfasts as well as olive oil being the primary cooking modality rather than butter.

During the small amount of time I’ve been here I have even felt a change in personal values, which initially were much more centered around where I would be tomorrow or what I needed to get done in the future. Now that I am unfortunately near the end of my time abroad, I have adopted a much more Spanish mindset. In that I am more mindful of where I am presently and much more willing to slow down and not be fixated on the destination.
Happiness in Spain: https://www.spain.info/en/top/spain-happy-lifestyle/
My homestay brother, homestay father and I (pictured right to left) enjoying a classic tapas bar, famously known for the jamons hanging off the ceiling.

My Experience Teaching Abroad, by Lydia Foster-Smith

While I am here in Spain, I am fortunate enough to have the opportunity to intern at Lycee Francais de Seville, a French international school for children ages 3-18. I work with students 1:1, in small groups, or entire classes, including being the head teacher for a Science Technology Engineering Math (STEM) class. Through working at Lycee, I have been able to experience teaching in another country compared to my experiences in schools in the United States. One major difference I have noticed is the level of security of the school. Back in the United States, with so many tragedies involving guns and schools, our schools are always locked and visitors must sign in at the front office before going anywhere in the building. The staff and students all have IDs to badge into the building, and visitors have to press a button to speak with the secretary from outside before being let inside. We also have school police officers onsite at all times. As we discussed in class, there is such a presence of guns and firearms in the United States, that just does not exist in Spain. In the US there is such an emphasis on personal freedom because it is such an individualistic culture. Some people feel that this extends to owning firearms as well. However, in Spain, this desire to own a gun to prove that you have personal freedom does not exist. In Spain, the idea of someone coming into a school with a gun and shooting students and teachers is completely unheard of. The school doors aren't even locked, anyone can just walk in, wave to the secretary if they choose to, and walk around any corner of the school. The staff don't have badges, and visitors don't have to sign in. Overall, I have loved my time working with kids in Spain. One of my favorite parts is how excited my students are to hear about American culture and win American candy as prizes. For example, in my STEM class we had an egg drop competition where any group whose egg survived the fall won Halloween candy. 😀 It makes me so happy when students who were very shy the first day start waving and yelling HI TEACHER whenever they see me in the hallways. I feel so lucky to have been able to experience Spain as both a student and a teacher these past few months.

Here are some of the egg drop projects from my 8th grade STEM class

Slow waiters, by Karoline Nelson

One huge cultural difference I have experienced since being in Spain is that of the restaurant industry. My first night in Spain, my friends and I decided to go out for some drinks and food. The entire time we were there, the waiter did not smile once, and was very slow to bring us our food. I remember saying to my friend that I thought he hated us and was probably annoyed by us. However, at the end of the night he gave all of us free shots! I left being very confused, as I had assumed the whole time he was annoyed with us. I then began to realize that this is pretty typical in Spain. Servers do not work for tips, which is a factor in why they do not feel the need to be fake nice to people. In the US, most servers have to be extremely nice to customers, even if they do not want to, in order to get tips. Many of my friends only get 2 dollars an hour, and the rest of the money they get is through tips. In Spain, they receive a salary, so they are not working for tips. Also, in the US speed is very much appreciated when it comes to food. In Spain, it is normal to stay and eat with friends for several hours, therefore it could appear they are intruding on the customers time if they were checking in a lot.

In class, we learned about different mindsets in different cultures. The US has an individualistic mindset, and are always on the go and working. This represents the competitive nature that is seen in the US. Therefore, the best waiters are rewarded through tips. In Spain however, they have a collectivistic mindset. Waiters are not working for tips, and it is not seen as competitive. This leads to the very different ways in which servers act in Spain compared to the US.

https://www.glassdoor.com/Salaries/spain-server-salary-SRCH_IL.0,5_IN219_KO6,12.htm

https://www.tripsavvy.com/should-you-tip-in-spain-1644349

Here is my friend and I at the restaurant!

Food Can Make Your Day or Walk You to the Grave, by Vivianna Alfaro. A great example of the activity 2

Just as the creation of the washing machine has made daily tasks easier for all who can afford them, the natural development of various ways to buy food can be viewed in a similar manner. While some may not directly view a large supermarket or fancy restaurant as “technology,” I assert that relatively modern methods of buying food are indeed direct results of technology; from the ability to build stores with large fridges and freezers to the possibility of importing food from different continents is most definitely subject to the technology we have created and currently have access to. In his TedTalk, Hans Rosling divides the world’s population into different categories based on the washing machine and other technological creations, so here in this essay I divide the world’s population into four main groups based on food consumption called Michelin Star group, the Whole Foods group, the Walmart group, and the Food Desert group— labels inspired by the U.S. but in which will be compared to Spain and Nigeria as international references.

“Michelin Star Consumers”

There are a limited number of restaurants awarded this label in the world and are also more expensive to purchase a meal at. Some customers fly to an area specifically to have a Michelin dining experience, making this an exclusive way to buy and consume food.

“Whole Foods Consumers”

Next we have those with the income and accessibility to shop at grocery stores with healthy food choices but at a cost. Whole Foods (the grocery store) in the US has aisles of powdered mushrooms and superfoods along with organically grown produce, meat, etc. However, as one can see in the image above, Whole Foods is not accessible to everyone in the U.S. due to both its location and price, imposing limitations on possible customers. In Spain, it could be compared to a Sanchez Romero supermercado although the comparison is not perfect. In other countries, such as Nigeria, luxury supermarkets are not well recognized.

“Walmart Consumers”

Larger supermarkets that are more populous and have cheaper prices are more accessible for a larger number of food consumers. The food may not be as high in quality as that sold in a luxury supermarket, but it is more affordable. In Spain, Walmart’s food section could be compared to a Día supermercado. In Nigeria, their chain supermarket system is not very developed, with their more infamous chain Shoprite only available in 13 cities; with this being said, it is crucial to note that much of the country (33%) is cultivated land, with small farms producing at least 80% of the food. Therefore, local food markets and stores in Nigeria could be compared as an equivalent to Walmart produce, and those who buy food in this manner could be placed into this category. One critical difference between the population of consumers who eat food from a Walmart and from local produce is the quality of the food. Originally, I created this category with the mindset that these consumers do not have easy access to “healthier” foods due to various factors, with income standing as a main inhibitor. As I place the Nigerian citizens who mainly shop at local markets here into the “Walmart Consumer” group, it is crucial to note that their limited ability to shop at a store like Whole Foods does not necessarily limit their ability to eat a healthy diet. The danger here would concern local production— droughts, floods, any environmental occurrences that can negatively impact availability of local food production.

“Food Desert Consumers”

U.S. food deserts are generally defined as areas where healthy food is not at all available to the community. Instead, driving around streets in food deserts you will find liquor stores and fast food options. As previously stated, Nigeria has a lot of fresh food being actively produced, so a simple lack of grocery stores would not be a proper definition for this category in relation to Nigeria. In this text, then, a food desert consumer is an individual who does not have “easy” access to “healthy” food wherever it is they live. “Easy” in the sense that it would take a lot of time and effort to reach a place that sells meats and produce, and “healthy” in the sense that the food is fresher and will have a more beneficial impact on one’s physical health. 

I am over the word limit, so instead of going into the connection of food to physical health and life expectancy, I will stop here. Resources I used and extra notes for class discussion are below:

Connection to health/ extra notes:

• Just as the washing machine gives people the chance to fulfill other areas of their life such as educating themselves, being in a place where you are not concerned about getting healthy food allows you to:

• Avoid debilitating health conditions such as Type II diabetes, obesity, Kwashiorkor, chronic heart disease, etc

• Function better cognitively

• Have a boosted mood and motivation to develop other areas of your life as well (EX: you feel stronger mentally, so you decide to start a business or enroll in college)

• Income and accessibility directly contribute to where people can shop- at wholefoods, fly to a michelin star, eat at McDonalds because that’s the closest thing to them, etc

• New York City’s lowest income neighborhoods. Similarly, disparities exist in diabetes prevalence rates; 5% of adults living in the Upper East Side neighborhood report a diabetes diagnosis, compared with 10–15% of adults living in East and Central Harlem and North and Central Brooklyn

• Obviously, this information comes from stats in the US, but there are so many more scientific articles discussing the direct impact of food on health

• Therefore, if a community is reliant on local fresh food like Nigeria, they will most likely not show the same results even though I place them in the food desert. But what this does mean is that if something were to happen to local produce (ex: lack of rain), then the people could be in trouble and suffer other health conditions

• The study found that people in the eastern Louisville lived as much as 12.6 years longer than some of their neighbors in northwestern areas. 12.6 YEARS LONGER. Like let that sink in.

https://www.ers.usda.gov/amber-waves/2011/december/data-feature-mapping-food-deserts-in-the-u-s/

https://studentwork.prattsi.org/blog/2022/07/18/walmart-locations-in-the-us/

https://www.businessofbusiness.com/articles/breaking-whole-foods-likes-rich-people/

https://guide.michelin.com/us/en/restaurants

https://nwtnlfn.org/2021/02/26/the-local-food-system-in-nigeria/

Measuring food deserts in New York City’s low-income neighborhoods. Cynthia Gordon, Marnie Purciel-Hill, Nirupa R. Ghai, Leslie Kaufman, Regina Graham, Gretchen Van Wye. 27 May 2010.

https://eu.courier-journal.com/story/news/politics/metro-government/2017/11/30/louisville-health-equity-report-2017-takeaways/909220001/

Walking etiquette in Seville by Anna Gras

It was the first day that I had landed in Seville. I was bursting with emotions; I had not slept in over twenty-four hours, but I was about to officially begin my new life in Spain. I dropped off my bigger-than-me suitcase at my student residence, and immediately set out on the streets of Seville. I felt like I was living in a fairytale, the streets were filled with culture that I would soon learn about, cathedrals that were as old as time, and orange trees waiting to ripen; I then heard a ringing sound coming from behind that I had never heard before, I turned around to find myself almost face to face with a scooter coming at me at what felt like fifty miles per hour. I darted out of the way and let out a small scream, “I almost just died'' I thought to myself.

After living here for nearly three months, I now understand the difference between the walkways and the bike lanes, but it definitely took some getting used to. Walking etiquette in Seville, and in Spain as a whole, is much different than any place I have ever visited. Coming from a Western culture, I would often get annoyed with people stopping in the middle of the street randomly, or even the slow pace that Spainards have strolling in the afternoon. I have always felt some sort of pressure when walking from one place to another, even if I am not under the pressure of time. This idea is most likely derived from the fact that Western cultures have a sort of “rushed” mentality and feel as if they need to get as much done in a day as they possibly can. My cultural bubble has now popped, and I am aware that other places have different ordinariness within the smallest things, even walking. It was fun to be able to teach my family when they visited the different “rules of the road” and see them confused, as I once was about the different walkways and known bike/scooter lanes. 

I think that the walking etiquette back in the states will provide some comfort to me during my return. I am glad I was able to experience how a different culture carries their life out in many different ways, and it provided me with insight on how to open up my mind to these ideas.

 https://www.justlanded.com/english/Spain/Articles/Travel-Leisure/Pedestrian-Road-Rules 

Cervezas y Tinto At This Hour?, by Juan Martínez

In my time studying abroad here in Sevilla, what has stood out to me most has been the difference in drinking culture. One of my first invitations by a Spaniard student was to go out to a bar to get to know each other, which to me was odd. Typically, I wasn’t used to bars as being a place where you would go to relax and talk, however I’ve noticed that alcohol itself is culturally ingrained in a much different way in Sevilla and Spain as a whole. Additionally, I noticed while at this bar that students weren’t drinking hard liquor or mixed drinks either. Instead, students and adults of all ages would go to bars to have a simple cerveza or tinto de verano (my personal favorite) and chat. This was where I started to see a difference in how alcohol was treated culturally. I also saw that alcohol was more common than what I was used to, where I found that cervezas were served at virtually any restaurant or convenience store that had drinks and food. Even fast food restaurants like McDonalds and Burger King would serve cervezas as well! Despite so much casual drinking though, I also realized that alcohol wasn’t used to get drunk at all either. Rarely did I see anyone fully drunk except on large occasions where drinking might’ve accidentally gone too far. This showed me how different alcohol is viewed and used here in my study abroad experience. I would attribute this as a particular practice of Spanish society, where these practices are part of everyday life and make life feel predictable. For me, this was the contrary and I didn’t understand what it meant to go to a bar with someone because culturally bars usually mean hard drinking and alcohol is for the purpose of feeling the alcohol. 

This is also shown in the following article:https://www.expatica.com/es/lifestyle/food-drink/spanish-drinking-culture-473493/. This article highlights that alcohol consumption is a daily part of life. With this in mind, it is very common to find restaurants equipped with bars and glasses for multiple types of wine and beers, like the picture I took of a local restaurant here in Sevilla!

Churros! by Anastasia Ensminger

Throughout my time in Sevilla, I loved learning about the churros and how interconnected it is to the culture here. Before moving abroad, I spoke with a friend that had lived in Sevilla many years prior. He had told me about specifics that I should look out for in Spain, and churros had been high on his list. It was explained to me that churros are made of dough that is deep fried and normally accompanied by a cup of hot, thick chocolate. He especially applauded churros, and specified that he would do anything to have another one again. For that reason, I was quite excited to try out churros for myself. Not only did I taste churros, but I also created a project in one of my Spanish classes about the history and culture of churros. Therefore, along with tasting the delicious snack, I also learned a fair amount of information on the treat as well. Something that surprised me when conducting research is the fact that churros are not normally consumed as a dessert in Sevilla. Due to the high caloric content in churros, it is most commonly eaten as breakfast or a merienda, an afternoon snack. Additionally, I was enlightened to the fact that churros have been coined as a hangover cure. Again, this is connected to the reasoning that churros are high in calories. As we have learned in class, each community emphasizes culture through different artifacts. In this example, I hone into the food aspect.
https://www.thegourmetjournal.com/english-version/churros-a-spanish-tradition/ 

Who doesn't love a trendy piece of clothing?

Until coming to Spain, I found it very difficult to find a store that catered to my specific fashion needs.
Most recently, in the US, I went back to school shopping and I could not believe my eyes at some of the clothing that they were selling in the stores. What was considered culturally trendy in the US was honestly very unflattering to me at the time. However others in my culture, like my younger brother, loved the clothing.
When I first came to Sevilla, I immediately noticed two brands: Massimo Dutti and Mango Man. These two shops sell what I consider to be my ideal clothing style: casual but refined clothing. Within my first month here, I spent about 500 euros on clothing because I knew I could not get the same type of fashion in the US.
The difference in fashion preference between the US and Spain -- or more generally Europe -- is one that is widely talked about in international circles. In Sevilla specifically, as an American, it is very easy for me to tell who is an American and who is not. Fashion choices can indicate a lot about an individual including their profession, cultural interests, hygiene level and etc.
I believe fashion choices are a direct correspondence of a society's overarching culture. For example, in America, you will frequently see people running errands and even going to work in extremely casual clothing (sweatpants, etc.). This is because in our culture we are extremely individualistic, do not care for others' opinions and we are typically rushing around doing errands all day. In Spain, however, as an American, it seems that everyone is always well dressed. I can attribute this to a more collectivistic, slower-paced society that is focused on enjoyment.

At this link, you can read more on this topic!"

La Feria, by Emma Skoler

Before I came to Sevilla, I had multiple people ask me if I would be there during La Feria. I had heard that it was going to be beautiful, but didn’t know much about it. I also knew that people would be wearing elaborate dresses and had been told that it was more fun if I bought one of my own. Unfortunately, I opted not to because I didn’t want to spend the money when I would only be there for two days. However, before being a part of it in person, I didn’t understand how important the flamenco outfits would be. I live a five minute walk from the fairgrounds in Los Remedios, and I loved people watching during the days of Feria. It was like a constant fashion show. A Spanish girl who I talked to told me after the fact that it was common for girls in Sevilla to have 6 flamenco dresses each, largely because fashion trends grow and change every year. This is so interesting to me, especially considering the price of an entire Feria outfit. Even though the event only occurs once every year, people still spend hundreds of dollars to embrace this week-long cultural experience. I think part of the reason this was so striking to me is that we don’t have anything like it in the United States. Because the cities and regions in the U.S. are so ethnically diverse compared to Andalucia, and specifically Sevilla, an event built on shared tradition like this seems impossible. Every family has their own cultural background, religion, and traditions, contrary to Sevilla. The only similar event I can think of is Mardis Gras in New Orleans, but this feels like a less culturally rich, tradition-based version (though it could be argued they are equivalent).This reminded me of the video we watched in class where men who were refugees from an African country were forced to move to the United States because I remember them mentioning how they live much more communally in their country, and know all of their neighbors. Though this is not entirely true in Sevilla, I think La Feria reflects some of the more collectivist aspects of Spanish society, as there is a microculture of fashion, food, and camaraderie shared only amongst Sevillians. Each caseta is also made up of communities of families and their friends, like a little neighborhood. As an outsider, I did not understand flamenco fashion trends at all, nor did I know what to expect during the week of Feria. However, the people in Sevilla were very welcoming.

Source: https://www.20minutos.es/minuteca/feria-de-abril/