So, this was my first trip ever traveling by myself. I would so say far it has went pretty well. I learned a lot about traveling solo quickly on my way over here. Now that I am here and have been for a few weeks, I am not nervous anymore, just kind of content. Of course not everything goes as planned, but that is expected while traveling. I have come to realize that and it is okay.
Lets start with currency exchange. I knew there would be fees, but I was not sure how many or how much. Let's just say I was disappointed and next time I will just save those rates and draw money out of the ATM next time I travel. Again, first time traveler problems. Next is that I was not told that I would be living with children, but that is okay because I love children!! The kids are so cute and very sweet at times. They are three and five. However, they are not disciplined which can get a little overwhelming at times. Again, it is fine though. My host family is great and so is the other host student I'm living with. I get my own bedroom and then Celia and I share a bathroom which is really nice. Their flat is really modern and nice, too! They also have a pool, two cars, bikes, they live close to school, and close to the beach. We usually take the bus to school though which is interesting. It is the first time using a public bus like that for transportation, but I enjoy it. Spain seems to be environmentally friendly which is AMAZING!!!! They also have great tasting food which our host mother makes taste even better.
Some cultural differences that have shocked me is how Spain is supposed to be in a depression. If Spain is in a depression right now, America is doing a depression wrong. My host family seems to be pretty wealthy because their flat is new, they own one by the beach, and they also have a family house in the mountains they go to every Sunday with their parents and siblings. Water in Almeria is valuable because there is very little. I like to take quick showers anyway, but this reminds me to take even quicker showers. The city has multiple fountains though that constantly run as well as street cleaning trucks which is pretty cool. The stores also close early on Saturday and nothing but restaurants are open on Sunday to respect citizens who do attend church. It is also set aside as a day for family which I found really nice. The food is different, but a good different. I can't explain it. It is just different from my expectations.They do have Kinder bars though! :) So the language, of course, is different as well. Again,as expected, some words are different. This small town of Almeria has lots of different accents as well which can be a little difficult to understand, but most people are patient.The people are really nice, but they know how to stay up late. Whereas in America, we stay up until 3 if we go out, they stay out until 6 or 7 a.m. That siesta really does help.
Besides that, classes are great. I get a long well with the students in my program. Excursions are fun, and other groups join. Besides ISEP study abroad, there are Mexicans, Germans, and Canadians taking a managerial skills class at the same university.They come on our excursions with us and give us opportunities to learn about more cultures which I love! I have not had home sickness yet, but I am just now starting to feel like I am in Spain after three weeks. It is weird, but I love it! I wish I would have studied abroad earlier.
Those are my thoughts for the night,
Ash
Lets start with currency exchange. I knew there would be fees, but I was not sure how many or how much. Let's just say I was disappointed and next time I will just save those rates and draw money out of the ATM next time I travel. Again, first time traveler problems. Next is that I was not told that I would be living with children, but that is okay because I love children!! The kids are so cute and very sweet at times. They are three and five. However, they are not disciplined which can get a little overwhelming at times. Again, it is fine though. My host family is great and so is the other host student I'm living with. I get my own bedroom and then Celia and I share a bathroom which is really nice. Their flat is really modern and nice, too! They also have a pool, two cars, bikes, they live close to school, and close to the beach. We usually take the bus to school though which is interesting. It is the first time using a public bus like that for transportation, but I enjoy it. Spain seems to be environmentally friendly which is AMAZING!!!! They also have great tasting food which our host mother makes taste even better.
Some cultural differences that have shocked me is how Spain is supposed to be in a depression. If Spain is in a depression right now, America is doing a depression wrong. My host family seems to be pretty wealthy because their flat is new, they own one by the beach, and they also have a family house in the mountains they go to every Sunday with their parents and siblings. Water in Almeria is valuable because there is very little. I like to take quick showers anyway, but this reminds me to take even quicker showers. The city has multiple fountains though that constantly run as well as street cleaning trucks which is pretty cool. The stores also close early on Saturday and nothing but restaurants are open on Sunday to respect citizens who do attend church. It is also set aside as a day for family which I found really nice. The food is different, but a good different. I can't explain it. It is just different from my expectations.They do have Kinder bars though! :) So the language, of course, is different as well. Again,as expected, some words are different. This small town of Almeria has lots of different accents as well which can be a little difficult to understand, but most people are patient.The people are really nice, but they know how to stay up late. Whereas in America, we stay up until 3 if we go out, they stay out until 6 or 7 a.m. That siesta really does help.
Besides that, classes are great. I get a long well with the students in my program. Excursions are fun, and other groups join. Besides ISEP study abroad, there are Mexicans, Germans, and Canadians taking a managerial skills class at the same university.They come on our excursions with us and give us opportunities to learn about more cultures which I love! I have not had home sickness yet, but I am just now starting to feel like I am in Spain after three weeks. It is weird, but I love it! I wish I would have studied abroad earlier.
Those are my thoughts for the night,
Ash