Submitted by Amanda Small on the 2016 winter session program in Spain and Italy sponsored by the Department of Political Science and Criminal Justice…
Being a Spanish major as well as a political science major on the program makes a huge difference in my eyes. Not only can I speak the language of the natives, but I also have a background in Spanish history from this past semester. One of the most interesting things I learned about in that class was how the Muslims ruled Spain until they were expelled in 1492 from the Alhambra in Granada. In this class, we also saw pictures of the Alhambra and I remember it taking my breath away. When I learned that we would be going on a tour of this beautiful palace, I was ecstatic, and when I found out it was my exchange professor from Granada who I had this class with, it made my experience even better than I could have ever imagined. The sight of the Alhambra took my breath away. I remembered all of the rooms from pictures I saw in class and all of the tiles and the designs on the walls. It always fascinates me that although most of it is restored, something from hundreds of years ago is still standing and is as beautiful as ever. Going to the Alhambra is an experience I will never forget.