Submitted by Anna Hemelt on the 2018 fall semester study abroad program in Granada, Spain…
One week ago, I set out on my study abroad adventure. I arrived in Granada, Spain after hours of no sleep and waiting for my connecting flight. From the minute I stepped off the plane, I experienced culture shock. There are so many things that are different here than they are in all the places I’ve been in the United States. First is the beauty. Granada is absolutely beautiful. There are so many boutiques, one-of-a-kind restaurants, beautiful fountains and gardens scattered throughout the city center that you just can’t find in the United States. Another big difference is the people. I am staying with a host mom and a roommate who is also from the University of Delaware. My host mom speaks no English at all, so the only way we can communicate with her is to use our Spanish skills. This was difficult at first, because there are a lot of specific words that I don’t know how to say. Additionally, in Spain, they are much more forward than they are in the United States, where we tend to censor what we say to other people. Here, they are much more straightforward and will tell you how they feel and what they’re thinking. Nonetheless, the people here are very, very friendly. The professors at Centro de Lenguas Modernas are always willing to help out and will do what they can to make the content make sense for you. All of the host families do what they can to make you feel at home and to make this transition process easier for you. I’ve only been here a week, but I am very excited to see what the next 16 weeks hold for me in Spain.
