Submitted by Maxwell Poruban on the 2024 Spring semester program in Granada, Spain…
Week two of my semester in Granada has been a week of settling in, meeting new people, and digging into my course work. The group of students from the University of Delaware, and several others, is truly excellent and I have enjoyed getting to know everyone. While we are all of different backgrounds and majors, as well as having different interests and objectives for our program. However, we have been drawn together by this program and have begun to face challenges as a team. Many of us attended the “Intercambio Lingüistico” that was organized by the University of Granada’s Center for Modern Languages team. Here I was paired up with native Spanish speakers and learners in a classic Spanish bar. As I met new friends, I enjoyed a tapa of ensalada rusa while spending a few hours chatting and learning. I found holding a conversation in Spanish for this long to be challenging, but I was rewarded with new friends and many local recommendations.
This week our intensive Language and Culture continued and we marked our halfway point by taking our second midterm. Like almost everything else, this class has been hard but worth the effort. Our professor is demanding, but aptly, patiently, and passionately answers our questions. I highly recommend this program and intensive course to anyone interested in improving their language skills.
Finally, my roommates and I climbed the hill of the Alhambra to visit the Carmen de los Mártires, a 19th century Carmen style house with extensive public gardens. A carmen is both a Spanish name and a word derived from Arabic that signifies: garden. These houses have four walls with a patio in the center, often with a fountain or water source. Carmen de los Mártires offers spectacular views of Granada, charming architecture, and voracious peacocks; making the hike a trip worth taking. (Submitted January 18, 2024)