Submitted by Eleanor Helm on the 2023 fall semester program in Granada, Spain…
This is officially the second week of my stay in Spain, and already I feel like I’ve learned so much! Besides simply getting to see the sights in Granada, Archidona, Nerja, and Almuñécar, I’ve slowly but surely been picking up on the customs here.
For example, here in Granada, it’s easy to see that the Spanish culture truly values kindness, openness, honesty, and engagement just from the way that people speak to one another. It almost feels like no one is a stranger; rather everyone cares about how everyone is doing, and they want to know your true opinions, not some pleasant facade. My next goal here is to figure out how to actually participate in a conversation with them since everyone speaks at a mile a minute and you’re expected to jump in right in the middle! Luckily, I have plenty of chances to practice with my host family. The opportunity to speak with them and learn from them is one of the experiences I’m most thankful for–not to mention the fact that their house is absolutely gorgeous and has incredible views of the Alhambra (the Moorish castle that overlooks the city).
All in all, I’m so incredibly happy to be here even if it’s been a big change. Everywhere I look, there’s yet another beautiful sight. One of my favorite places I’ve visited so far was the beaches of Almuñécar. I’ve only ever been to Delaware and New Jersey beaches my whole life, so seeing the Mediterranean Sea for the first time felt like being in a movie. I still can’t believe that there are people who live in a place like this every day–it just seems too beautiful to be real. I can’t wait to learn more about this incredible country and improve my Spanish this semester! (Submitted during Week 2).