mis clases!

OKAY....so I finally have settled down into the classes that I will be taking for the rest of my time in Spain... I had a two week period to try out classes (like most colleges/universities in the U.S. do as well). I have settled into four classes:

*literatura hispanoamerica (latin american literature)
*historia de la filosofia (history of philosophy)
*introduccion al ensayo hispanico (intro to spanish essay)
*la historia de la mujer y sociedad en espana (history of women and society in spain)

It's been my first week in each of these classes and I really enjoy them and the professors very much. I am glad that I choose the integrated program now since I feel that I am really learning something. I am taking subjects that interest me, and improving my listening Spanish; finally all those silly listening practices from school have paid off! The only disadvantage of taking classes with Spaniards (as opposed to with other international students and NO Spaniards) is that one must pay attention at all times. If one finds themselves distracted by the slightest thing they might miss something important. Well you could say this applies to classes in America as well, however, if you space out in America you will still be hearing English, instead of Spanish. This is the only course that required me to buy books (4 to be exact) and they all look very interesting. I look forward to reading them!

The literature course is my class with the most international students. The majority of these people are from the U.S., England, and Korea. There are also Spaniards in the class. This class is taught by a young (in her30's) female professor who is very excited about the subject matter.

My history of philosophy class is interesting, and I feel a step ahead since I have already taken a full year of philosophy at BC. I have also taken other political science based philosophy courses. The professor seems very passionate about this course. The class is packed, and it is completely full of Spaniards.

My intro to the Spanish essay course is smaller and has mostly Spaniards. I like this professor best because he speaks slower (normal speed) so I am able to write down everything that he says. I have also made an acquaintance in this class. Her name is Ana Maria and she is from Colombia originally but she lives in England. She asked me if I was from Spain; this seems to be a common question for me which I feel has it's advantages and disadvantages. I enjoy blending in and having people approach me with Spanish first rather than English. Also things are not made any easier for me because it is assumed that I am from Spain (or another Spanish speaking country). HOWEVER...this also doesn't encourage other international students to approach me since they think I am a Spaniard and therefore am "intimidating." haha.

My fourth class, history of women in Spain, I enjoy very much as well. This class is taught by a woman, who is in her early 60's and very upbeat. She cracks jokes here and there and makes the class a fun time. I really like the subject matter, and so does she, which prompts her to speak a mile a minute. There are two guys in the class too, haha.

Overall, I'm enjoying my educational time in addition to my free/exploring time. :)
hasta luego!

ham flavored chips! ew.

plaze de espana

plaza de espana

jill and i at the plaza

the bell tower

a top the bell tower

outside the cathedral

torre de oro

at the flamenco show!

sevilla!

sevilla--a trip to southern spain--

the trip to sevilla was just what I needed, warm weather, beautiful scenery, and more bonding time to get to know the people in my group better! The bus ride was about 7 hours each direction and we made two stops along the way for food and bathrooms. Upon arrival we all checked into the hotel and had free time to explore. My group of friend and I decided just to wander random streets to take it all in. Sevilla has many very small streets that are barely wide enough for a car to drive down (it reminded me of the tiny town I stayed at in high school, Benalmádena). After a sufficient amount of exploring was completed the API (academic programs international) group departed for the evenings festivities of a flamenco show. The show was set in a small venue and had a singer, a guitarist, and a male and female dancer. The performances were all very good, and I was most impressed by the male dancer.

The next day we went on a tour of the Alcazar, which is the old royal palace in Sevilla. It was incredibly beautiful and grand of course. It reminded me of the Alhambra in Granada because of the building had an Arab style in the architecture. Following this we took a tour of the cathedral , which is the third biggest in the world. It also houses the tomb and body of Christopher Columbus. We walked to the top of the bell tower, which consisted of 34 ramps, and took some pictures. After this we had free time to wander Sevilla and decided to look for the bull stadium, and one of the sites which is the Torre de oro, an old watchtower.

The next day on our own we walked to the Maria Louisa park, and the Plaza espana which were BEAUTIFUL! A little fun fact about Salamanca is that tapas were invented there, so of course we had to try them on our first night! I'm really glad I got to see Sevilla again learn the historical aspect. But I was ready to go home, to Salamanca.

DAY FOR WOMEN!

So, today AND yesterday were days designated specifically for the women of Spain, and therefore fiestas and celebration occurred. I am not sure of the name of the holiday but there are two day a year in which women in Spain are designated "the Boss" of the family. It is a day where women go out with their friends and eat together leaving their husbands helpless at home (hahaha). It is very official where the Mayor of each town makes an announcement that the day is for women. To make the day even better it was SUNNY today! and in the plaza mayor in Salamanca women did a dance traditional to Salamanca. They also wore clothes specific to Salamanca, which were dark robe-like dresses. It is mostly a holiday for older women (since they are the ones who have been married for a long time), but it celebrates women in general. Salamanca specifically is throwing many fiestas tonight in the bars to celebrate women...although I am not attending (due to my early morning departure for Sevilla) I have heard that there will be many. Even my host mother, Aurelia and my host brother Jesus told me about the parties tonight.

Right now it is snowing with HUGE snowflakes. It's quite a site. and makes me happy to be inside away from the cold. I am really looking forward to Sevilla this weekend. Although I have been there before during my high school years, I am looking forward to really taking in the culture and history of this city. The real beauty in all Spanish towns is the architecture; Spains history is a mixture of Arab (the Moors), Spanish, and Jewish influence which results in spectacular buildings. I also am looking forward to the warm weather!

I am finding that I am really enjoying my time here in Salamanca. I feel like I'm really getting to know what it feels like to attend the University as a Spaniard. Every day I wake up, and I have a cup of hot chocolate (Cacao), with some biscuit type things (more like crackers) and then I'm off to class. The majority of the students in my class are Spaniards, however, in my literaratura hispaneoamerica I have a few other Americans, Koreans, and Brits. In my other two classes it is a majority of Spaniards. After class I go to my house...completing the same walk I did to class in reverse. However, I still do not know any of the street names, I just see a store name and know that is the store that I turn left or right at.

I am really enjoying my family. My host mom is really sweet and makes me and Anna feel welcome. She is very talkative and shares details of her life with us that helps us get to know her better. She even shared that Tony Hawk (yes, the famous skateboarder) was once a student studying at her house (just like me)! I enjoy the time I am spending at home and now with internet I am able to communicate better with the outside world. So now, I am off to pack for Sevilla...and shall write upon return!

internet!

News of the day--I have internet at my home! yayyyy now homework and communication will be much easier!

I have also decided to make a list of things I've noticed about Spain, they are meant to be somewhat funny, I hope you enjoy!

Things I’ve noticed about Spain

Specifically Salamanca, Spain

1—people obsessively carry umbrellas even if it is sunny outside

2—if you are a woman over 60 years old you automatically wear a fur coat in the winter

3—dogs are incredibly well trained here, therefore it is not unusual to see a dog just walking down the street, unleashed, by itself, basically a dog walking itself and the owner strolling behind

4—HOWEVER, these incredibly trained dogs do not have well trained owners, and hence poop on the sidewalk is a daily site, that must be avoided

5—little kids are always dressed up and therefore are twice as adorable!

6—people tend to smell good in Spain, as in you will walk by a person and go yum! But not say eww that person smells bad, or they are wearing too much, --just the perfect amount!

7—Spanish women do not move, repeat, do NOT move, if you come to a walking face-off with a woman, move, you will not win haha

8—Spain= land of wind, seriously. The wind here is incredibly strong, almost every day and it’s crazy. Most funny thing to view though is the rain-scared Spaniards trying to block drops of rain from touching them while the wind is destroying their umbrella

in front of the door the the building where I take classes

the building where I take classes!

other classroom building

plaza mayor in Salamanca

my roommate anna and me, in salamanca!

salamanca pics!

SPAIN PICTURES!

a castle in toledo!

toledo!

toledo

a sideways church in toledo