The Traditional Bullfight, by Ericka Boeger

Going to a bullfight was the most memorable event I have attended in Sevilla. I was nervous before going because I did not know what to expect. All I knew was that it was a "very cultural" event and that the bull died in the end. I didn't truly understand how the bull died or why the Spaniards I had spoken to called it beautiful.
The beauty started outside in the Plaza de Toros. Everyone was very elegantly dressed – women in skirts or dresses and men in suits. Children were dressed up in collared shirts and nice pants. There were also many families in attendance.
We went to our seats, which were right next to the band. The music was playing very loudly and cheerfully. The people around us were eating sunflower seeds and drinking beers.
During certain moments of the match, the crowd would chant in unison or "boo" at the same time. I assumed the chanting occurred when the bullfighter got the bull to dance properly or when the bull made close contact with the bullfighter. One of the most memorable moments was when one of the bulls finally collapsed to the ground, everyone in the stadium was standing, cheering, and waving white handkerchiefs in the air. We assumed that the waving of this white handkerchief was to honor the bull. At first, I was very sad for the bull; however, I could realize the pride the Spaniards had from the event. I could tell that the crowd favored this bullfighter because he walked around the ring for 10 minutes after the fight had ended – the fans were cheering, chanting, and throwing flowers into the ring. He was even blowing kisses to people in the crowd – definitely a fan favorite.
One of the most fascinating parts of the bullfight was when the bullfighter cut the ear off of the bull after its death and threw it into the crowd. Everyone wanted this bloody bull ear... and to this day I still do not understand why.
Sitting in the crowd and watching, I could tell how important this meant to everyone in attendance and could understand the strong Spanish tradition. I could feel the intense emotions of exhilaration and honor of those sitting near me.
I love how they honored the bull after every fight. I appreciated this more than the slaughterhouses of the United States.

Relax in Seville

As my time ends in Spain, nearly a month before I go home, I have started reflecting and investigating how this city and experience has affected my own emotions. The first thing that comes to mind is the relaxed lifestyle of Spain but specifically in Seville. What really intrigues me, is the life I am living, may be seen on the outside as busy and no time to relax. Traveling every weekend, meeting new people and experiencing new cultures. On the contrary, this has done quite the opposite. At home in the United States I would say that I am an anxious person. Although I am working on it, it is a part of my everyday life. Coming here I did not know how I would respond. If I have learned one thing, it is to know how to relax, and I believe the southern Andalusian culture taught me this. Noticing how the streets are quiet until 2pm, how relaxed people are throughout the day. For example, not bringing a check immediately after you are done eating at a restaurant. In America, life is busy rushed, and often the people I surround myself with seem much more anxious than the individuals I have surrounded myself with here. I know once I return home, more realizations will come. As of now, I am so appreciative of what I hardly can put into words. Seville has brought me a sense of clarity and I feel as it has allowed me to “relax”.

Fútbol: More Than Just a Sport, by Emilia Chapa

One unforgettable experience in Spain was going to the Betis vs. Sevilla fútbol game this past Sunday. The game was unlike anything I have ever experienced. I went to the game with three of my American friends. We all decided that we were Betis fans prior to the game, and for that, I am very thankful because Sevilla fans at the stadium were far from liked. The game was at the Betis stadium, so everyone was covered in the Betis colors of green and white, while only a small section of people supported Sevilla. This was surprising to me because in the United States usually fans from each team are equally represented, especially when both teams are from the same city. However, this game was very different. I learned that it is very common here for people to only attend the games when their team is hosting. The stadium itself was also different than most stadiums I have been to. There were no TV screens to watch the game, all of the focus was solely on the field. I loved this aspect of the stadium because I feel that in the USA it is very easy to stay at the concession stand for 30 minutes and watch the game on the TV screens. Having all of the attention on the field emphasizes the connection and passion Spaniards have for the game and allows you to never disconnect from the live action.

Throughout the game, my favorite thing to do was to observe the fans. When Betis scored the excitement was beyond dramatic; people would jump up in the air, hug one another, and occasionally do the sign of the cross. When Sevilla scored, the Betis fans looked absolutely defeated. I saw many grown men crying, something I have never seen at a game in the United States. This expression of emotion is something we talked about in class on Monday and seeing the cultural differences of reactions when comparing the USA and Spain I was shocked to see such a difference. This is because in many ways our culture regarding expression of emotion especially when looking at gender roles seems similar at the surface level. I think the extreme emotion showed the importance of fútbol in Sevilla and represented how it is more than just a sport in Spain. Betis from my understanding rarely wins, yet the stadium was full of fans hopeful and invested in their team. This experience was unforgettable, and it helped me understand the importance of fútbol in Spain. 

A Different kind of Sunday night Football

There is something about sports that regardless of what culture you are in, they bring people together. Whether it’s the group chants or the shared feeling of joy when your team scores, sports allows people to put away differences to watch their favorite teams play. One thing I miss back home is being able to watch American football every Sunday, and although it is a minute absence, it is still a bit of a culture shock. I was able to forget about some of what I was missing when I went to the game Sunday night because whether I’m watching a football game in the US or a fútbol game in Spain, it’s an exciting environment. Being there allowed me to feel comfort, which is why sports are special. There are always the overaggressive fans that sometimes forget to hold their tongue, or the little kids excited to see their favorite player. That being said there were some differences I noticed while at the game. One of the big things was the arena itself. It was very different from back home, where you are able to find your seat easily and safely. Here the numbers were confusing to me, and there is little room for you to walk and get to your seat. Also, back in my state sports means having a beer in your hand, but in this arena, they did not serve alcohol. I figured this out when I saw an American ask if they served beer and the vendor looked shocked. This shows a difference in culture and how the environment we grow up in influences our actions and norms, like having a beer at a sports event. At the end of the day, even with the differences, I am glad I got to experience a new type of sporting event in a different culture.

Drinking Water in Spain, by Olivia Eastwood

Within days of arriving to Spain I picked up on a major cultural difference… it seems that no one here drinks water! And the Spaniards that do are likely not carrying around a giant reusable bottle. I found myself constantly thirsty when I first arrived because having to pay for water at every restaurant and during every outing was hurting my bank account. At many restaurants a glass of wine is even cheaper than a bottle of water! The cultural norm in Spain is to drink more wine, and to just buy a water if necessary, rather than lugging around a reusable one all day. In the U.S. you are in some ways shamed for using plastic water bottles, as using a reusable bottle is more environmentally friendly and a signal of health.
This shows a difference in cultural values. In Spain, people value alcohol and convenience more, whereas in the U.S. people almost always use water bottles as a status symbol. The more expensive the water bottle, the “cooler” and “healthier” you are. However, here in Spain it is not considered trendy to carry around a water bottle. I found this very interesting because I am constantly thirsty here, especially with all the dehydrating coffee and alcohol I have been consuming! To me, and my culture, it is so much easier and healthier to constantly have my reusable water bottle, but in Spain it makes me stick out like a sore thumb because very few people here carry them around.

Reverse Culture Shock, by Savannah Vanduyn

I have been in Sevilla for just over 2 months now. The actions that seemed alien to me 10 weeks ago are now part of my everyday experience. When I first arrived in Spain, I didn’t recognize a huge culture shock on my part. I had been briefed by friends and family on what to expect and, in many ways, I had already prepared myself for life in Spain. There were, of course, things that I still had to get used to. Like waiving down servers, taking the metro every day, or even being surrounded by Spanish everywhere I went. Now that I recognize that my time in Spain is coming to an end quicker than I would like, I am starting to compare what I have become accustomed to in Sevilla to what I will return to in the U.S. Instead of walking to the store or hopping on a metro, I will drive. Even if the store is a 2 minute drive, I will drive there out of convenience, to save time in the busy life I live in the states. When I sit down to eat a meal in a restaurant I will feel as if I am being interrupted and hurried out so that the server can make a living wage. I will probably never have the opportunity to speak this much Spanish again unless I travel abroad. And while I felt prepared to enter the new Sevillan culture, I do not feel prepared to return back to my American culture.

In class, we have discussed how it is hard to analyze a culture without first stepping out of it. I didn’t truly understand the cultural differences in the United States until I came to Sevilla. The longer I stay in Spain and visit other European countries and cultures, the more I realize how much the U.S. is lacking in health initiatives. Our public transportation system is terrible, our health care system is non-existent compared to Europe, and our individualist thinking has led to a competitive atmosphere in the workplace and school. We could invest in public transportation or carpooling alternatives. A truly universal health care system would decrease stress in a lot of Americans. Taking a step back and realizing that there is more to life than work is something that many Americans will never get the luxury of doing. Because in America work equals money and money is what everyone needs to survive. My experience abroad has opened my eyes to different programs to help the health and happiness of both people and the environment.

Processions / Parades, by Elizabeth Strong

The processions from the churches that go around the blocks with "pasos" and bands are incredible and completely different than anything I've seen before. They are decorated with great care, treasures, and love. The flowers and candles are stable and strapped down which is helpful so when the processions move it is not too unstable. They are always dedicated to a saint, virgin, or Jesus Christ and occur for religious and national holidays.

People are underneath the pasos that carry them on their shoulders, this is very physically taxing and the processions are very long, often a few hours. The people swap out who carries and who rests but this is something your whole day is devoted to. I learned in class people who do this are part of the congregation of the church that is hosting the procession and they do it to ask for forgiveness for their sins and to be a part of something worshiping their lord. This is a dedication to God, the church, and the community to be a part of this event.

In the United States processions are usually in the form of floats pulled by trucks and other large vehicles. It is not hard work it is just something for fun and celebration, people don't typically take pride or feel humbled when participating. The biggest difference is there are never parades for religion, they are for national holidays like the fourth of July or local holidays like High School homecoming. The floats are not decorated with gold, silver, or flowers but instead painted posters, flags, and often people ride them to throw candy to the audience.

This cultural difference really surprised me as here parades are more like processions, people feel spiritually uplifted when they see or participate in them. In the United States, people feel an uplifting sense of community instead of spirituality, the concept for hosting these are completely different. We use the same types of celebratory events to express excitement for different types of holidays. When you think about it it's pretty cool, we aren't so different from each other!

Ears pierced, by Makenna Goodrich

It is said that a child develops the culture in which it is submerged in and by exiting the United States it has become more prevalent to me, the differences in parenting styles when comparing Spain and the US. Walking around the streets of Seville you can see children playing recklessly in the streets with minimal supervision. This, however, is viewed as a normal occurrence as the streets are not only viewed as a passageway for cars, but also a huge playground. I remember when I had first arrived in Seville, I was walking around at midnight and I noticed that children were still walking around the streets with their parents and babies were being pushed in their elaborate prams at such a late hour. This shocked me because when I was a child we had a set bedtime of 10:00. Spanish children are definitely granted more freedom than American children. For example, one time I saw a child running all by himself in front of a store and I wondered where the parent was. Then, all of a sudden the mother came running as the child had decided to use the bathroom on a nearby tree. The mother was fuming as the little boy had just pulled down his pants and relieved himself on the tree. Resultantly, the mother spanked the little boy and he cried. Last week, our host sister gave birth to a new baby, her name is Gabriella and she is the most adorable and pudgy baby I have ever laid eyes on. I was very surprised when I came home from London after she was born to see that a two-day-old infant already had her ears pierced! Evidently, it is an option for the mother to have the baby's ears pierced when they are first born so that they won’t have to experience the pain of getting their ears pierced later on. Nonetheless, while Spanish children are granted more independence and freedom, Spanish parents still love and want the best for their children, as all parents do.

Stereotypes all over Europe, by Meghan Nuti

I am about halfway done with my program here in Seville, and have learned more than I probably ever would have at home. Not only have I seen how cultures differ from the preconceived stereotypes I have of them, I have also noticed how different the US is from what people outside of it think of it as. It really is true when they say, you learn a lot more about the United States from being outside of it abroad.

After traveling to many places in Europe on weekend trips, there are two times when stereotypes of the United States have really stood out to me. About two weeks ago, I was in Amsterdam with two of my good friends from Santa Clara University. We decided to go on a canal cruise in order to see the city. When we first got onto the boat, we were asked to go around the boat and say where we were from. There were people from all over Europe, from London to Italy to Norway. Towards the end of the boat ride, a man from Norway turned to my friends and I, and said something along the lines of, “You girls are too quiet to be from California”. It shocked me because I had never known that being loud and crazy was a stereotype of California girls. Maybe he got this idea from the song by Katy Perry, but I couldn’t think of any other connection. It is amazing to see the different things that people think and/or say about countries that they know nothing about at all. It just shows that people make assumptions based on what they hear from other people who have experienced the culture.

Following that weekend, I was in Barcelona, again with a few of my friends. We were sitting at a rooftop bar and when the waiter came to our table, he naturally asked where we were from. He looked surprised when we said we were from California, and not just the United States. When we asked him why this was surprising he explained that most people who are from other states in the US, will reply by saying they are from the United States, and then go on to say which state they are from when asked. However, he said that whenever he asks someone who is from California where they are from, they naturally just say California. To quote him, he said, “There is no need for a Californian to say the United States”. This really caught me off guard because my whole life I have been used to saying I’m from California- and that’s it. I never realized that this would be different for people in other states. I am not sure how true this actually is, but from his observations, it's a recurring trend. It is really interesting to see that people have such different conceptions of the 50 states in the US. They may know what California is but get confused when we get into the midwest states, as explained by the waiter and other teachers of mine at UPO. The US is often defined as the west-coast, California, and the east coast, New York City, with nothing in between.

Both of these experiences have simply reminded me that it takes an actual experience to somewhat understand a culture. We can’t keep judging cultures based on our preconceived stereotypes. I am really thankful for both of these experiences, as they act as a reminder to keep an open mind when meeting people from all over the world in Europe.

Training dogs, by Nikki Gosselin

I have always been a dog person all my life, and coming to Spain I was super excited to be living with a family that had a 10 month old puppy. Once I got here I realized dogs as pets were treated much differently than they are back at home. First of all, there are so many dogs that I see in the streets, and I think it might even be more than in the United States. One thing I thought was a little different than how dogs are in the United States is that some people walking their dogs on the side of the road in the city don’t use leashes. I noticed this a lot in Barcelona, and even sometimes in Sevilla. This seemed a little unusual for me because I’m from a very small town in Connecticut, and everyone there still uses leashes to walk their dogs even on roads that aren’t busy at all. I do not recall any time back home where I would see a dog following obediently behind its owner on a busy road without a leash. When I first noticed that they didn’t wear leashes, I thought it was extremely dangerous. This is because there are consequences that can arise from this, such as your dog getting injured by a car, especially in a busy city, or even injuring a person or another dog. However, I soon came to realize that dogs from here are very obedient. Even with no leash, dogs of all breeds and sizes follow their owner wherever they go and are well-behaved. They aren’t as distracted by things they see, or other dogs. I wondered how they got to be so obedient. My host family’s dog, Helga, is only 10 months old, and is in the process of being trained. For instance, she is still being potty-trained. Whenever they take her on walks, she uses a leash because she is still learning. I noticed that whenever their puppy misbehaves or won’t stop its loud whining, the family will smack the dog, as if giving a child a spanking. I was shocked when I saw this happen because back in the United States I have never seen a person smack a dog as frequently to behave. I have since come to realize that this is just their way of life and their culture of how to train their dogs and get them to be so well-behaved. Once their dogs are trained, they have a lot of trust in them to follow their orders and be compliant.

My New Personal Bubble

I come from a family who loves to travel, my father is always looking into the next place he wants to visit or plot where he’s going to retire. I am not the type of person who dreams of living in another country but I knew that if I didn’t take the opportunity to study abroad I would regret I applied with my fingers crossed and was approved. As the flight date got closer and I became more nervous than excited. I had travelled to Europe before but living there for four months and visiting for a week at a time are very different. As the butterflies in my stomach got worse I turned to my father, I was hoping he could settle my nerves as he usually can. He did calm me down but he gave me some advice that I couldn’t shake lose. I am very much my father’s daughter, but where we differ is that he is a very close talker and I am someone who needs their space. He warned me that in Europe, southern countries in particular lacked the concept of personal space.

A few days passed and I couldn’t get the idea out of my head that everyone would always be really close to me no matter where I went while I was abroad. I decided that I should talk to someone who had actually been to Seville instead of my dad who was just assuming rather than telling me based off personal experience. My great aunt had actually lived and taught in Seville for over 10 years, so before I left I gave her a call hoping to find out if I should really be worried or if I was blowing this way out of proportion. Thankfully, she told me I had nothing to worry about and that my dad was just trying to ensure that I was aware of my surroundings while I was alone studying abroad. She said people did have less of a sense of personal space but not like my father described, which made me feel a whole lot better and I quickly brushed off what my dad told me.

This, however, was a huge mistake. I started to notice how much more “rude” the Spaniards were as soon as the flight landed. I happened to sit next to a Spanish woman, I was on the isle and boarded before she did. She sat in the window seat. We were in the middle of the plane but closer to the front, she kept to herself and I didn’t notice anything out of the ordinary until we landed. The plane landed and she immediately unbuckled and began looking at her other family members sitting around us who were already standing up and starting to gathering their bags and standing in the isle waiting to exit the plane. I was waiting for the rows in front of me to move forward and leave the plane because that is what you do, you don’t cut the people off in the row next to or in front of you to leave the plane first because it is rude. The woman next to me started to move closer to me, I was expecting her to wait just like I was but she stepped over my legs and bag as I was sitting so that she could get into the isle and get off the plane faster. I was shocked and had never seen anything like it before. When we made eye contact I gave her a little bit of a nasty look which she completely disregarded. As the line to exit started to reach the rows directly in front of me I started to stand and put my bag on so I could leave my row.

As we boarded the shuttle from the plane everyone was so close we were touching, I went to a corner where I thought I would have a little space but the person directly behind me stood so close to me that our whole sides were touching. I didn’t know why he was standing SO close to me when there was so much room. I couldn’t even turn my head without touching someone. I felt like we were all breathing on each other and I was the only one who thought it was uncomfortable. This was not the end either, in every line I stood in I felt the person behind me up against my back or backpack. I would try and move forward to give myself a little bit more room and then would keep inching forward. Dirty looks, moving forward, trying to take up more room all did nothing to change the fact that everywhere I went in Seville my sweat was mixing with someone else’s. Whether it was going out to eat, standing on the metro, or talking one on one to someone there was less than an inch of space between us at any given time. I know that it is very normal here but I still can’t help feeling a little violated and that people are being rude when they are getting extremely close to me. I am still trying to adjust when someone bumps into me and doesn’t apologize or doesn’t even try to avoid me at all.

My First (and Last) Bullfight

It was a lazy Sunday afternoon when my friends and I met for drinks before the bullfight. As it got closer to the start time, we noticed many people walking in the direction of the Plaza de Toros and decided to join the crowd. To my surprise, those in attendance were dressed very elegantly. Men were wearing dress pants and nice shirts with suit jackets, and women were dressed in cocktail dresses and heals. As we found our seats, the crowd was settling in, many holding a cigar in one hand and a beer in the other. The show started off with a march of some sort in the ring and matadors waving to the crowd. A trumpet played a catchy tune during various parts of the show. It was quite a beautiful scene, with many colors and elegant clothes. Soon after that, the ring was cleared and a bull charged of the gate. The matador’s assistants, with pink/purple flags, engaged with the bull. Following that, two men on horseback were released into the ring with long javelins in their hands. The crowd chanted “fuera” during these times. The men on horseback stabbed the bull, I’m assuming to anger him. After that, other men with two swords in their hands charged the bull, sticking the swords in the bull’s shoulders three times. For the remainder of the match, the bull kept those swords in his body. Finally, the head matador came out with the red flag and engaged with the bull. The crowd was completely silent during these times, except when chanting in unison for reasons I do not know of due to my lack of knowledge about the sport. The bull would charge at the red flag, and upon each charge, the crowd yelled “olé;” after an X amount of consecutive charges, the crowd would cheer loudly, and sometimes wave white scarves in the air. There was a total of six matches, each one lasting around 20 minutes, and each match used a new bull. At the end of each match the bull fell to the ground and the matador killed the bull (I closed my eyes during this part so I cannot provide a detailed description). Once the bull is dead, the team brings out three horses and dragged the bull around the ring to show the crowd, before taking it out of the public's eye. Within a few minutes, the ring was cleaned and another match began.

I do not regret my decision to attend this event. Although I will not attend it again, it taught me about the Spanish culture in this specific aspect. I have never been a “crazy” animal lover, but I am definitly against animal cruelty. I do not think that all Spaniards support bullfighting, nor do I believe it is a vital aspect of the Spanish culture. In fact, there was a protest right outside the Plaza de Toros for animal rights before the event started. While I am sad about the outcome of the sport, it was somewhat comforting to learn that the bull’s meat is purchased by butchers and restaurants for sale.

Environmentally friendly?, by Devon Sarazin

According to The Telegraph, a major news source of England, Spain is the 6th most environmentally friendly country in the world. Spain is consistently ranks in the top 20 most eco-friendly countries in the world across a variety of other news sources such as Real Leaders and Environmental Performance Index; Spain is constantly ranking higher than the United States. I found this profoundly interesting, as one of my first observations in Spain was the amount of plastic being used. One example was water bottles; In the United States people tend to use reusable water bottles when out and about. Comparatively, when out and about most Spaniards seem to buy a plastic water bottle. Additionally, in the United States, when ordering water at a restaurant, bubbly or flat, it comes in a glass. Here in Spain you are often brought a plastic bottle at a restaurant. Another observation of plastic usage in Spain is the ice bags. When moving into our apartment, the program director asked if my roommates and I used ice. We answered yes and he recommended self-sealing ice cube bags. We actually ended up buying them by accident, meaning to buy Ziploc baggies. These bags are not reusable as you have to rip the plastic to get the cubes out. In the United States when making Ice cubes, people use reusable ice trays. These observations as well as a few others lead me to believe that Spain was wasteful. When I did some research, I was surprised to find just the opposite. According to Plastic Pollution, an article written in Our World Data, The United States uses significantly more plastic per capita than Spain. Spain is more environmentally friendly in ways other than just plastic consumption. There are less CO2 emissions because people walk, bike or scooter instead of driving cars. Also, people are more conservation with electricity and water than in the United States. It is interesting to see how emphasized environmentalism is in the United States, yet Spain, where at first glance environmentalism seems like less of a priority, can be making environmental strides in different and more effective ways.

Bibliography 

DeAngelis, Mark T. “2018 EPI Results.” 2018 EPI Results | Environmental Performance Index, 2018, epi.envirocenter.yale.edu/epi-topline?country&order=field_epi_rank_new&sort=asc.

Ritchie, Hannah, and Max Roser. “Plastic Pollution.” Our World in Data, 1 Sept. 2018, ourworldindata.org/plastic-pollution.

Smith, Oliver. “Mapped: The World's Most Eco-Friendly Countries – Where Does the UK Rank?” The Telegraph, Telegraph Media Group, 22 Apr. 2017, www.telegraph.co.uk/travel/maps-and-graphics/most-and-least-environmentally-friendly-countries/.

“Which Countries Are The Most Environmentally-Friendly?” Real Leaders, 14 Aug. 2018, real-leaders.com/which-countries-are-the-most-environmentally-friendly/.

Club Promoters and Mahou, by Ryan Voth

The city of Madrid, Spain does not truly come to life until after dark. During the day Puerta del Sol acts as a passage for pedestrians to get from point A to point B. But once the sun goes down, the purpose becomes something completely different. Life that has been hiding away from the beating sun and the penetrating heat decides to come out and enjoy the spectacles of the night. Puerta del Sol, by night, becomes home to people dressed up in costumes from Money Heist (Casa de Papel), street performers on roller blades jumping over anxious girls, Gypsy Kings cover artists performing all of their classics, and a plethora of normal people, like me, ready to see where the night takes them. The process of finding plans and getting alcohol is easily facilitated by people working the streets as club promoters and Mahou beer salesmen.

As tourists in a new place we were easy targets to be sold on the "great” deals that only club promoters could provide us with (at least that’s what they claimed). Nevertheless, my friends and I blindly followed these strangers allowing them to guide us through the labyrinth of Madrid's streets to arrive at clubs and bars. Something that is important to note is that depending on the club promoter and their affiliation with the club, you may find yourself waiting in line to get into a club that does not offer the promotions which had been promised to you. Luckily, most of the club promoters we met were truthful and were keen on getting our WhatApps so that they could relay more deals to us in the future.

The Mahou salesmen were interesting as well because they had a more limited grasp of the English language and therefore resorted to their practiced phrases which consisted mainly of “good price” and “6-pack for 5 euros”. My friends and I decided that this was indeed a good deal but with little to no reference of beer prices in Spain, it is safe to say that we really had no idea. We did not realize what buying a couple six packs meant for the rest of our night. As we started taking our first sips a couple more salesmen approached offering us the same deals for their beer to which we respectfully refused since we were clearly just starting to drink the ones we had purchased seconds ago. Yet the barrage of salesmen kept coming wave after wave. It became clear that the salesmen were resilient as they did their rounds, taking turns around the fountain to offer us their “good price.” After the seventh round we had to become a bit more stern with them as their presence and bombardment of sales pitches began to infringe on the enjoyment of our night. But all in all it was a well spent night that provided us with a glimpse of what a night in

A day that I will never forget, by Lindsay Baerg

It’s hard for me to put into words my experience in Morocco. It is certainly a day that I will never forget.
As we embarked onto the ferry, I was very uncertain of what to expect. While waiting in line to have our passports stamped, I listened to different conversations; a mom talking to her little boy, sisters bickering, two friends laughing and swaying side to side with the rolling waves of the boat. The Spanish sounded more foreign and the blending of French, Arabic, and German seemed alien. My stomach became uneasy, maybe from the rocking, but more likely from the unknown ahead. I walked outside and inhaled the sweetness of the salty air as well as cigarette smoke from the elderly Spanish lady standing beside me. Spain was no longer in sight and we were cruising full speed ahead toward Morocco. Tangier began to emerge from behind the early morning fog. Large buildings outlined the modernized city and small houses covered the sprawling hillsides. As the boat began to slow, people shuffled towards the exits and funneled out. Meghan and I strode off the ferry and into Morocco.
We quickly located our guide, Abdeslam, a middle-aged man who he smiled ear to ear and exclaimed how excited he was to show us his country. Once in the car, we began the two and a half hour journey to Chefchaouen, a small town in northwest Morocco in the Rif mountains known for its blue houses. After leaving the city of Tangier, the landscape became much more barren and the houses few and far between. The road gradually became windier and narrower as we approached the town. I knew we were close when more and more of the buildings we passed were blue. After a long drive, we finally arrived. I stepped out of the car and looked up. The mountain range engulfed the sky and the bright sun illuminated the blue hues of the houses. The call to prayer rang and the sound echoed through the blue alleyways. It was hard to believe I was actually here. I was in Morocco, in a town that I had only seen pictures of online, with only Meghan and our guide. I had a sudden moment of panic as I really began to understand how far away I was. Yes, the culture in Seville is very different from the United States, but nothing like this.
On the car ride back to Tangier I looked out the window at the small houses passing by. People lived in these houses; the stunning blue houses in Chefchaouen, the houses next to the landfill, the houses by the dam, the mansions near the king’s property in Tangier. These people wake up every day just like the rest of the world and Morocco is their home. I am grateful that I got to experience it, even if only for the day.

Unfriendly or too friendly? by Abbi Solomon

The holas and smiles and friendly hellos vanish as you enter the streets of Seville and pass people on the streets. You immediately think to yourself “how rude” or “what did I ever do to them”, but soon you will realize, just like me, it is simply a cultural difference.

Living in Boston, Massachusetts all of my life, it has been instilled in me that when you pass by another or make eye contact you smile and greet that other person, but not here in Seville. It was on my walks to the gym where I realized no one wanted to smile at me and when I made eye contact, it felt different. I thought maybe I had something on my face or was just standing out as an American, but it continued to happen. I had no idea what was going on and why when a car stopped for pedestrians or someone held the door, it was not normal to say please or thank you or
smile. But how wrong I was!

I soon came to learn that this was a giant culture shock. Little did I know that making eye contact
with someone in passing was a way of signaling you are interested in that individual in a  romantic way. I felt SO embarrassed about all of the people I had glared at and smiled at without even thinking twice. I also learned quickly that directness is an action that the Spaniards love. When a car stops or someone holds a door, it is expected in this culture and please/thank you is not necessary. Where I thought I was being ignored, I was actually in the wrong and simply uneducated on the culture in Seville.

I am not saying a smile or hello does not go a long way here, it still does, but be aware of your surroundings and understanding that not every culture is the same.

My Experience in Sevilla, Spain

There are so many things that are culturally different in Spain than in the United States. First, meal times. Compared to the United States, where a typical lunch time is usually between 12pm and 2pm and a typical dinner time is anywhere from 6pm to 10pm, the meal times in Spain are super late. When I first arrived in Spain, not having lunch until 2pm or later and not having dinner until 9pm or later was a huge shock. Second, etiquette during a meal at a restaurant differs greatly between the United States and Spain. In contrast to the United States, one has to flag down waiters to order and get the check in Spain. Meals could last anywhere from 20 minutes to 2 hours because the wait staff does not rush you out in order to get more customers into the restaurant (which I think is very nice and enjoyable). Third, and what I found most different to my life at home in the States, is that there are almost no Jews in Spain (or at least Sevilla). I have always been surrounded by a Jewish community my whole life and finding out that there are around 100 Jews who live in Sevilla was crazy to me. It took me a while, but I did find the small community and was welcomed with open arms. I definitely have gained a lot of perspective that I did not have before when it comes to food and religious culture in Spain and I am grateful for everything that I have learned because it has made me grow as a person.

Grocery shopping, by Nitya Mulani

Something that I found very interesting is the difference in frequency of grocery shopping between Spaniards and Americans. From my experience most Americans do grocery shopping once a week. They usually do it on weekends since they have long work days during the week. Some people even try to plan out their grocery store visits so they only have to go once every two weeks. Additionally Americans buy groceries in bulk, or large quantities. For example, when my family goes out to get milk, we buy two gallons of milk. A Spaniard would find such a large quantity of milk absurd to purchase at once. However, Americans often buy gallons of milk on a regular basis. Spaniards do groceries every two or three days. I think this is because they like fresh bread and fresh fruits and also because it is easy to get fresh food. Whereas in the United States, a lot of our diet comes from processed food. I asked my host mom how often she goes to the grocery store. She told me two or three times a week to pick up fresh fruits and bread. She takes her little shopping cart and walks down the street, picks up groceries and brings it back. For people in suburban America, they have to drive to the grocery store as it not very close. The convenience, availability of fresh food, and relaxed schedules motivate Spaniards to go to the grocery store more frequently. Busy schedules, and availability of preserved foods in large quantities allow Americans to go grocery shopping less often.

It’s All Coming to an End, by Clarissa Higgins

  

There are 10 days left until I go home, and I am both excited and sad to leave. I’m excited because I get to go back home and see my friends, family, boyfriend, but most importantly my dog! Don’t get me wrong...I miss everyone but there’s nothing better than the unconditional love from your dog. I’m especially excited considering the fact that there are SO MANY dogs in Seville, but the amount of times I’ve seen a dog in the streets and the amount of times I’ve pet any of the dogs...let’s just say I can fit it all on one hand. It’s honestly such a tease. I’m sad to leave because I’m going to miss being able to go to a café, bringing a book with me and being able to stay there for hours without being kicked out. I’m going to miss the sunny weather (even if it’s going to be in the mid 90’s all week). Most importantly I’m going to miss the friends that I have made here because I definitely won’t be seeing them everyday like I do now and since I’m transferring schools, I won’t be seeing any of them ever again. I will never forget the memories that I’ve made here in Seville and hopefully I won’t forget the very little spanish that I can speak. Wish me luck on this new chapter that I am starting at my new school.

People just go up to babies, by Fayla Sutton

In Spain I have noticed that people are much more social, friendly, and relaxed than they are in the United States. At first this was really hard to get used to, because in the U.S. people have very strict personal space boundaries and like to stick to themselves or people they know. I have noticed that people in Spain sometimes talk to each other like they are friends even if they do not know each other. One of the biggest differences I noticed was that people will just go up to babies and touch them and talk to them, even if they don’t know them, and it seems totally normal. In the U.S. if a stranger was to go up to a baby it would be very strange, and most parents would not be okay with it. In Spain there are always people walking around and eating or getting drinks for long periods of time. Everything seems more relaxed; like no one is in a hurry. It is a nice change from the fast-paced nature of people in the United States. One of the biggest changes I noticed in the pace of life here is that the U.S. places a huge emphasis on food and coffee to-go, but here that doesn’t seem to be as common. I like that noting is rushed it gives you more time to enjoy things and get to know people.

Living with a Spanish Host Family, by Sarah Hamlin

 When I was getting ready to come so Sevilla, I was often asked if I was nervous or scared to go abroad, and if so, what I was most nervous about. The only thing that really gave me any nerves at all while preparing for my semester abroad was the fact that I would be living with a host family from Sevilla (that happens to speak no English at all!). Looking back, it is crazy to remember how nervous I was because living with a host family is, in my opinion, one of the best parts of this study abroad experience. From learning the Spanish language to learning the Spanish culture, my host family has taught me so much.

When I first moved into my host family house, I had not taken a Spanish class since Sophomore year of high school. Though I had taken Spanish for five years before this, I had lost a lot of my vocabulary and could not remember any tenses except for present. My first conversation with my host mom was mostly me nodding and smiling and understanding every other word she said. Though this was a struggle for a little while before my Spanish classes started, I got by with my rusty high school Spanish and my best friend at the time (Google Translate!). As the semester has progressed, I started to use Spanish more and more, speaking with my host mom and her family, learning Spanish in class, and interacting with people in the community. Living and breathing Spanish almost 24/7 has improved my knowledge and fluency of the language immensely.

In addition to learning the Spanish language, I also got to experience first-hand what it is like to live as an Andalusian in Sevilla. Everyday for every meal I get a piping hot Spanish meal straight from the kitchen made especially for me and my flat mates by my host mom (she even made us birthday cakes!). Some of my favorite dishes and conversations happened during these meals, sometimes lasting over an hour just because we have so much to talk about. Some of my favorite Spanish dishes that I have had while in Sevilla were made by my host mom and I would not have been able to experience this without the opportunity to live with a host family.

To conclude, living with a host family enhances the study abroad experience and your immersion into the culture so much more than if you were to live in a dorm or an apartment on your own. Personally, I love my host family and if I could go back and choose my living situation for the semester, I would choose my host family every time. If you ever study abroad, take a step out of your comfort zone and live with a host family, you will not regret it! (and if you’re lucky like me you might even have a host-puppy!)

(Solomillo al Whiskey {Pork Loin and Whiskey Sauce, a common tapa in Spain}

 made by my host mom)

Spanish Restaurant Service, by Catherine Vickery

I have observed many differences between Spanish and American culture while here in Sevilla.
However, one difference that really stands out to me is the service in restaurants. In the United
States, servers are highly attentive to the customers. They consistently ask if people need more
to drink or need anything else for their meal. As soon as someone sits down at a table, there is
a waiter there to ask if you are ready to order. However, here in Spain the waiters often do not
check on you at all. If you want more to eat or drink, you have to call the waiter to your table.
I’ve gotten used to this custom, but I do miss american food service. I enjoy someone coming
and asking if everything is okay. I prefer not to have to put in effort to find the server at a
restaurant. One benefit to the service in Spain is that you do not feel rushed to leave the table.
In the US, servers often want you to leave when you are done because they want new
customers so they can receive tips. This often results in you feeling rushed. In Spain, though,
you can sit at a table for a long time and the waiters do not typically mind. Although there are
benefits to both types of food service, I think I will be happy to be back in american restaurants.

European vs. American Restaurants, by Mikayla Pietkiewicz

As a waitress in America, I cannot help but take notice of the service that you receive in Spanish
restaurants. I get paid a low wage and the majority of my income is based on tips for good
service. However, this is not the case in Spain or even in Europe. Servers will get paid the same
wage here whether they give good or bad service. They have no motivation to accommodate their
guests above the average standard. You can see this anytime you need a waiter or waitress. They
will never approach you first unless you call them over to you. Most of the time this can be
pretty difficult because they are usually not around. In America, the server is very attentive, they
check on their tables every 10 – 15 minutes and go above and beyond to try and anticipate their
guest’s needs.
Another difference I have noticed in restaurants is that the bill is never separated, the server will
always present the entire bill to the table. Whereas in the states, it is customary to ask a group of
people if they would like to pay together or separately. Even if they do not ask beforehand, it can
always be done after the meal, no matter how much it might inconvenience the waiter. If you ask
a server in a European restaurant, more often than not, they will decline your request.

Dress code, by Jon Reagan

Coming abroad to Seville Spain, I️ had a lot of assumptions about the people and the culture. One in particular was about how people dressed. I️ heard that everyone in Europe in general, particularly in a traditional city in Seville had a certain way of dressing. This way of dressing I️ expected was muted colors, long pants, and very fancy clothing. I️ don’t want to say that their aren’t people that dress like that, especially the older generation. What I️ have seen especially from the younger generation is an “Americanized” way of dressing. This sounds very WEIRD I️ bet because I️ didn’t have much world view before coming to Seville. Younger people here wear a lot of what is popular in America. This includes sneakers, ripped jeans, shorts, colors, and tee shirts. I️ think this can be attributed to globalization. The way people dress is of course different everywhere you go, but there are definitely more similarities than I️ expected to the culture I️ come from. I️ think this is a positive thing because the way people dress brings people together. I️ think if you can relate to how someone looks, it is easier to be willing to interact with him. The photo I️ took was from the metro, where you can see I wide range of colors and attire.

Why would the coffee shops need wifi? by Bridget Stephenson

I have loved my time here in Sevilla. I feel like I have been given the opportunity to take advantage of a slower lifestyle here, while really immersing myself in the present moment. Sitting at meals for hours on end, laying out by the river, and walking to every destination has encouraged me to focus on the people I am with and the conversations I am having, rather than being distracted by technology or other commitments. All of that being said, there have been times where I need to buckle down and get some work done. On some of the first weekends here, my roommate and I tested out a few different coffee shops to do homework at. We went to one called Torch, and found out that there was no wifi in the shop after we had ordered. To our surprise, most of the places we went did not have wifi. Coming from the US, where coffee shops are the main homework hub, this was very different for me. I would normally expect all coffee shops to provide wifi. If I think about this culturally, I understand why this is. When Spanish people eat together and are spending time together, I rarely, if ever, see any laptops on the table. Even at the UPO cafeteria on the lunch break, I haven’t seen a group of Spanish students on their laptops yet. To me, it seems like mealtimes are the Spaniards way of connecting and being in community. Meals are for talking, not for social media and technology. In American culture, many people are on their phones or using technology when they are with others. So if that is not part of the Spanish culture, why would the coffee shops need wifi if they are meant for community? I do like the idea of being present, but it also is nice to be able to do homework with friends in a coffee shop. But, there are shops that do have wifi, so I just know to choose these if I need to get work done, and to go to the others if I am with friends. Below is a picture of a great coffee shop that I went to with my friends family (without wifi!).

Balance between working and relaxing, by Katie Steeves

While there is a plethora of cultural differences that exist between the United States and Spain, one that stood out to me revolved around our differing ideas of taking time for ourselves to relax. In the United States, we have a very competitive environment which stresses success and accomplishments. There is a high sense of urgency to get things done, a feeling that there is never enough time to get everything done, and a feeling that if you relax for too long then in some way you will be left behind. However, in Spain, I feel that I am able to have a healthier balance between working and relaxing. There seems to be less of an emphasis on this idea that ‘there isn’t enough time’, and a larger emphasis on spending time with friends and family.

There are many examples that highlight this cultural difference for me, one of which is through take-out. In the United States, any restaurant you go to, there is always a ‘to go’ option where, if you don’t finish your meal or don’t have enough time to, you can take it home with you. There are also more restaurants in the United States like Panera and Chipotle that are quick and easy to grab on the go if you are in a rush. However, there are hardly any places in Spain that offer ‘take away’. In the United States, when we finish our meal, the waiter or waitress brings over the check and you leave. However, in Spain, the waiter or waitress won’t bring over the check until you request it, and you are able to stay however long you want. This promotes people spending more time hanging out with friends and family while grabbing a tapa or a cup of coffee without feeling the urgency to rush through a meal.

Another example that highlighted this difference for me revolved around our differing activities on Sunday. In the United States, we tend to experience ‘Sunday scaries’ before the week begins and will oftentimes use this day to catch up on work or errands. However, in Spain when I walk around, I see that everyone seems to be out on the street or at a restaurant socializing, instead of working. Many stores are closed and everyone seems to be spending quality time with their friends and family.

While in the United States, I do believe there is some type of balance between working and relaxing, I believe it is easy to get too wrapped up in the competitive work hard environment. I think Spaniards are more relaxed about time and prioritize spending time with loved ones. I personally believe this is one cultural difference that Spaniards may do better than Americans and something that we can work on

From “Weird” to “Normal”, byTaylor Congdon

I have traveled to many different places, but I have never actually lived and immersed myself in a new culture. When I was told of the differences in the culture of Spain such as the different eating times, I thought to myself how abnormal it seemed. In America, I eat dinner no later than 7 pm, and here, in Spain, I have to wait an extra 3 hours to eat dinner. One of my favorite things about Seville is how often people spend time outside. In America, many people invite other over to their houses, or they spend most of the day at home, where here in Seville, there are always people of all ages and health, walking around, eating tapas, and drinking just to be social. One thing that I still have not accustomed to is that in the middle of the day, many businesses and stores close from 3pm to around 5pm, for siesta. Although I know this is common in Spain, sometimes when I make plans to go shop or visit certain stores I catch myself forgetting that late afternoon they most likely will not be open. Another thing I really have enjoyed observing here in Seville is the people’s value of the family. I always see large families getting together for meals and parents and grandparents walking their children/ grandchildren around the city. I’ve also noticed how here in Seville, people dress for the season and not the weather. Although this winter, temperatures rose to almost 80 degrees Fahrenheit, I would walk around and still see people wearing giant coats and long pants, which is very different from people in the U.S. who dress based on what the forecast is that day. People here have a different concept of time than most people in the U.S., where in America “time is money” but in Seville, “time is golden.” I constantly find myself walking really fast, passing everyone, because I am rushing to get to my destination, where the majority of people walking along the streets are enjoying the stroll. Something I find so fascinating about Seville is how there is so much history around the city, and you could just be walking around and instantly run into an extravagant building built thousands of years ago, such as the Cathedral. One last thing I have noticed about my friends from Seville is that they are “on Spanish time” which means that majority of the time they will be late to meeting up at specific times, where I think in America majority of the people there are punctual and arrive on time (though I think I fit in more with the people “on Spanish time.”)Through actually living and acclimating to the Spanish culture here, I learned that there really is no “normal” way to live and do life. I have been adjusting my schedule and other ways of living to fit the culture of Spain, and I no longer see it as strange, I see it as another way to do life; a new version of reality.

My experience in Seville, by Jacquelyn Scott

There are so many cultural differences that I have experienced since my arrival to Spain. Some of these differences are huge and have an effect on my every day routine, and some are small and were easier to get adapted to. Some of these differences include meal times, leaving a tip for the waiter or waitress, fast paced everything in America versus everything being slower in Spain (eating, walking, etc.,), spending time in the streets with friends rather than in the home, and the biggest one for me was public transportation. This difference is not as much a country vs country difference but a small town (where I come from) versus bigger city (Sevilla) transportation difference. Before arriving to Sevilla, and spin in general, I had been in a metro one time in my whole life, and a taxi maybe twice. My town is very small and we have no means of public transportation. I experiences culture shock when I had to take the metro for 20 minutes just to get to school everyday. When I first arrived to the Sevilla airport, I had to take a taxi to get home, this was the first time I had ever taken a taxi by myself and only my second time ever being in a taxi. I also found it interesting that not everyone here owns a car, where I am from, having your own car is the only way to get around. I think my experience abroad was a huge eye opener into city life, and even though most people would say Sevilla is not a huge city, it is very huge in comparison to my small town in the Unites States.

Communication Across Cultures, by Taryn Hinton

Reaching the 3-month mark being in Seville, I have become accustomed to a lot of the differences between this city and Calgary, where I live and attend university in Canada. There are major, obvious differences such as the language, the waiters and tipping etiquette, and the more slow-paced lifestyle, but something that really stood out to me was the difference in “politeness” of Spaniards and Canadians. This is not to say that Spaniards are less polite, but it is less common for a casual “please & thank you” or “sorry” to be passed between people whether on the street or in a grocery store or restaurant. A lot of the time as soon as I say “gracias” to a cashier or waiter they will respond in English after speaking in Spanish up until that point. While walking on the streets, I often get weird or glaring looks if I make eye contact and smile at someone. In one of my other classes, we talked about why this difference exists between the two cultures. We talked about how Spaniards are more inclined to show ‘positive politeness’ which refers to compliments, approval, admiration, etc., while North Americans are more inclined to show ‘negative politeness’ where we don’t want to appear intrusive and we often show regret for minor impositions or requests, hence the “please and thank you’s” all the time. This makes sense when reflected upon but it has been difficult for me to stop myself from saying “please”, “thanks” and “sorry” to seemingly little things because that is the culture that I was brought up in and am used to.

No matter who you support, Messi is the best footballer in the world by Andrea Bujor

I think the thing that has stood out to me most here has been how much emphasis and passion there is towards football. Back home in Calgary, Canada there isn’t as much of a passion or cultural “togetherness,” as there is here for sports. In Canada, the main sport is hockey, so I may be biased because I have always had more of a passion for football rather than hockey, but I notice some major cultural differences in the 2 sports and how it brings people together. Here, it is more common for people to gather on the streets and parade their support for their teams. Even in bars, there is more of a collective mindset and occurrence of bringing together people from different groups and cultures to support their team. For example, I was watching a game a couple weeks ago and my Spanish friend was cheering and embracing with an Italian individual because of their love and support for their winning team, although neither could communicate verbally with one another. The support and passion here is definitely more relevant, as even my professors and Spanish friends bring up previous games or current stats.

Being a FC Barcelona fan and watching them play Sevilla in the Copa del Rey, I definitely witnessed firsthand how much support and love people have for their team, especially when I got a few glares for cheering on my team during the final.

Back home, I don’t think there is that much of a togetherness or love for a sport as much as I’ve seen here in Seville and Europe as a whole. It is also more common to find games playing in many restaurants and bars. There is also more sportsmanship here and an appreciation of the sport even if some individuals don’t like a certain team. However, I am sure all Spaniards can agree that no matter who you support, Messi is the best footballer in the world :)

Below, I’ve added a picture I took while visiting Madrid about a month ago.

The English Bridge and its One-Way Street By Maddie Topliff

I have had my fair share of excellent tour guides during my semester in Europe. Each one so far has gone the extra mile to include interesting facts, jokes and recommendations, and I always walk away feeling enlightened and a little more appreciative of history, a subject that tends to bore me easily.

Upon my first couple of weeks in Spain, I visited and toured many cathedrals and a good handful of museums as well. Our program was nice enough to elect the use of English-speaking guides so we were able to fully understand the historical context of where we were. This was something I appreciated greatly. Of course I always want to improve my Spanish, but I also didn’t want to miss out on intricate details due to my lack of vocabulary retention. But rest assured, if it comes down to Spanish grammar rules, I’m your girl.

But I got to thinking. Sevilla is incredibly popular with tourists, especially from other countries of continental Europe. And Europe hosts a lot of languages. Like, a lot. How do they find guides to lead tours in every single language?

The answer: they most likely don’t. When I traveled to Brussels over the first part of Semana Santa, my friends and I went on a Belgian chocolate-tasting tour that was conducted in English. And to my surprise, almost everyone else in our group was from Germany. Yes, electing to take a tour in English.

Tourism in Europe thrives on English competency. It doesn’t matter whether you’re a tour guide or serving gelato on a popular street in the city center. English brings many countries together under one umbrella, which is both endearing and questionable. So...I got to thinking. Is U.S. tourism elitist? In 2016, the top three countries that funneled the largest amount of tourists into the USA were Canada, Mexico and the United Kingdom: the USA’s two neighbors and the UK, whose national language English.

Of course, traveling is expensive. But secondary language learning in the United States for native English speakers isn’t a given either. There’s a lot of room for growth in this area and a lot of potential in the tourism industry that would be an indirect effect of more diverse language competency among native English-speaking WEIRDos. And that starts with education reform: a whole other conversation

Walking - U.S vs Spain by Bailey Disque

There are quite a lot of things different between the U.S and Spain culturally. This includes food, meal times, and a lot of others. However, what really surprised me about cultural differences was how much walking everyone does. What I thought I knew about walking specifically, was completely changed once my study abroad experience started. Back home in the United States, I drive everywhere. Even if it’s 5 minutes away, I drive or ride everywhere. Especially at my college campus at home. If an academic building is a 15-20 minute walk away, I will normally catch a ride with someone. However, here in Spain, it’s quite normal for a short walk to be around 30-40 minutes long! This really surprised me. It has now changed the way I view walking and time as a whole. Now, when I need to get somewhere, I normally just walk, even if it is over 30 minutes. It doesn’t phase me anymore! Not a lot of people have cars in Spain, and the public transportation is so amazing and cheap that everyone just uses that instead. Now, when I travel and something is a 40 minute walk away, I normally will just walk. Walking everywhere is such a common thing that it really changed the way I view it overall.

The waiter doesn’t check up on you, by Mikayla Roybal

There are many differences when it comes to American culture and the culture in Spain. One that really stuck out to me is the customer service provided at restaurants by the waiters. In America, the waiter is consistently asking if you need anything and making sure that you’re okay. When you finish your meal they bring you the check and you pay whenever you please. Here in Spain, this isn’t the case. When you get to the restaurant the waiter will take down your order and bring you your food, the same as in America. The difference is that the waiter doesn’t check up on you unless you call him over. The same goes for the check, they won’t bring you the check until you call them over and ask for it. This can easily turn a 45-minute meal into a two-hour meal. I believe there are many reasons for this cultural difference. One is the fact that waiters in Spain don’t get tipped, and they don’t rely on tips as income. This could cause them to not feel the need to constantly make sure the customers are content. Another reason could be how much Spaniards value spending time with their loved ones. They often get together with their loved ones over food. The servers may value this and they don’t want to intrude or be rude. They want the customers to be able to visit freely without any interruptions. The differences in the service at restaurants definitely took some getting used to, but I appreciate some aspects of it

There are not a lot of Black individuals who live here, by Hamida Hassan

I’ve been in Spain for the last two months and so far I love it. The people are friendly and
welcoming. I’ve traveled to Madrid, Cadiz and Granada outside of Seville and the architect in
these cities are incredibly beautiful. I can not get over how detailed they are. The kids at my
internship are fascinated by me. When it comes to group conversations at my internship, each
group literally fights over me which I completely love and adore. But something strange that I
notice in Spain is that there are not a lot of Black individuals who live here. Most of the Black
here like myself are either tourists or students from the United States. Yes there are a few
darker Spaniards but if you take them to the United States they would be considered as a light
skin vs dark skin. I sometimes get referred to as “Moreno” meaning brown in Spanish. In many
Spanish stores there are many advertisements and posters of Black people used. This is weird
because as I mentioned there are not a lot of them. But also in the U.S black people are the
minorities there but they are not in the advertisement in the stores as much as White People.
Which makes sense because there are more White people in the U.S than Black people. But
this is not the case in Spain. It’s completely the opposite I’ve been to Zara, Lefties, Humana and
a few more that are all stores that I wouldn't find in the United States. It makes me happy to see
something different in Spain but it is strange.

Outspoken Spaniards by Amaka Imoh

While walking around Spain, I’ve come to notice that their way of interacting with their phones is much different than in the United States. No, I don’t mean they use their phones more or less so than Americans: I have noticed that Spaniards tend to be more vocal on their phones. Spaniards talk on the phone more than Americans. Additionally, they use voice notes and voice messages much more.

I started observing this on the metro. In America, most people will just have headphones on and sit quietly until their respective stops. The only people that really talk are friends that are riding together, and those conversations are usually light and softly spoken amongst the group for fear of being a nuisance to other passengers. However, during my first few weeks in Spain, I noticed how common it was for Spaniards to openly have phone conversations. I’ve seen them talk on the phone and send a series of voice messages to one another, and it never seems to bother the other passengers. Everyone mostly ignores it. Spaniards talk on the phone all the time: while walking, while riding the metro, and I’ve even seen someone have a conversation while in the middle of a workout at the gym!

I’ve also noticed that Spaniards text less often when they walk when compared to Americans. Voice messages are the more common mode of communication while walking. Instead of looking down at their phones and text while walking, I’ve seen many Spaniards simply hold their phones to their mouths and speak their messages. Honestly, I feel like this system of communication is much more efficient, and much safer, since it leaves room to pay attention to where one is walking. Maybe it’s time for Americans to speak out more as well without the fear of public judgement.

How’s Spain?

That’s the question I’ve been asked the most in the last 2 months. Yes, been here for almost 2 months. To answer that question, please read...

I would say, so far so good. Love the sun, love the city and love Phoenix (haha, who knows will know). To start, I’m a unique case (maybe) among all of the exchange students here. Indeed, I’m “double” abroad... Therefore, I’m comparing three different cultures here. It’s really got the point where I’m confused what CULTURE I represent to be honest. Spain feels like home when I’m back using Celsius and Kilometer instead of Fahrenheit and Mile. Spain feels like home when grades turn into number instead of letter. Spain feels a little bit like home when I see a lot of people who aren’t students, daily (although Sevilla is nothing compare to Hanoi, Vietnam in term of population). However, like any other exchanges, culture shock kicked in when people having lunch at 2pm as known as 14h and dinner always after 8pm as known as 20h. And yeah, “viva la siesta” is a huge deal here when almost “tiendas” is closed between 14h and 16h.

Language, oh my..., I give myself a big credit of being able switching 3 languages daily. Although my Spanish isn’t good enough to understand everything my host mom say but come on guys, give me a break. I’m trying my best!! I believe I should have been more serious about Spanish to be honest. I also admit my Vietnamese is a little bit broken since the begin of living in Spain (according to my mom, she’s been complaining about my Vietnamese usage). I can tell because my writing skill when typing texts definitely has a little issue. Sorry mom... I’m not planning to crazily learn Spanish fluently but I will do my best to take advantage of this semester abroad in Spain in order to improve my Spanish. Anyway, English is still my main driver daily.

Lastly, I want to say thank you for reading this and hopefully at least this note answers partly of the main question. I’m doing great in Spain and I’m grateful for this opportunity which gives me chances to experiences a whole new culture in a whole new continent as a student. As usual, I have a quote to share: "Wherever you go, go with all your heart”. I really hope you can have a chance like me to travel the world and when you do, please be open to new thing and I promise you, IT IS GREAT!

Cultural Differences in Greetings: Spain and the United States, by Madeline Bird

The personal bubble of space that is designated to each person either shrinks or entirely disappears when you step foot on Spanish soil. The Spanish culture is saturated with physical contact and close quarters which is the complete opposite in the United States. The American greeting is a handshake- the handshake allows each individual to keep their distance while still being friendly and saying hello. The Spanish greeting is “dos besos”, which means two kisses. Dos besos brings the two people very close and allows each person to give an endearing kiss on either cheek. The two friends or newly introduced acquaintances are, by default, closer because of the lack of personal space in this greeting. The United States and Spain are overall very similar countries, however, the United States has an extremely individualistic society whereas Spain has more collectivist practices; we can see the contrast in the two societies reflected in their different types of greetings.

My Experience: I am American and am quite used to my personal space as well as the handshake as the common greeting. Often when I am introduced to new Spanish people, I reach out my hand to greet them and introduce myself and then remember- while they stare at my hand like I am very strange and I have a mini panic attack- that dos besos is the way to go! I am working on perfecting my execution of dos besos, as I have had a few very awkward encounters, including but not limited to, going to the wrong direction. Soon, I will be a master of two greetings as I am slowly being enculturated into the Spanish way of life.