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Published: January 27th 2017
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Hola!
This first week here has been
unbelievable and I love this city so much already. I never want to leave 😊
A few things I have learned/noticed:
1. Dogs don't wear leashes
This makes me laugh. People like to just walk around the streets and bring along their dogs, but the dogs are so tame that they just walk along next to the owners. I think this is so funny considering everyone in Glen Ellyn walks their dog all over, and you never see a leash-less dog. But here, so much more laid back and the dogs just walk along however they wish.
2. Units of measure
I knew this already, but it never affected me until now, since I am now conversing with different cultures. I was asking my Swedish roommate what shoes to wear since I am a short tree trunk and she said to me, "I am 1,82" and I didn't understand what she was talking about, but the rest of the world uses meters for height. I told her that I am 5'3 and she didn't understand. In another example, I was talking about how it is warming
Part of my walk to school, this is a part of the bridge along the riverup this week and "it would get up to like 52" and she did not understand. People over here just use celsius. Good to know!
3. Attendance
I have been told not to ever miss class here, because the professors take it very personally and seriously. Missing class here is not something that is considered okay. At most universities in the US, people can miss 2-3 times no big deal. Here, you need to attend class. Interesting!
4. Age of students
A lot of people in Erasmus (group of international students at each exchange program, mostly a part the European union) are my age, but I have met some that are late into their twenties and that is not unusual here. My roommate Pauline took two years of gap before beginning college. Students are older here and it is not rare that there are older students around. However, In the states people do sometimes partake in gap years for travel, work, etc. But, I think it is much more accepted here! I like the whole concept of going to school when you chose to, and that they do not feel so forced to go right away.
Pauline from SwedenIt is a different but interesting cultural aspect I have seen.
5. EVERYONE speaks English + their mother tongue
Every student here I have met who is from Europe speaks at least 2 languages, and are trying to learn their 3rd, (Spanish) It just goes to show that english really is becoming a global language. It is sad, but also impressive how sharp their english is and that they began learning when they were very little. I have heard kids who speak their Arabic & English, or Swedish + English, Basque + English, and more. It is always their mother tongue but PLUS English. Everyone knows English. I came here to learn Spanish and master the language, but I am finding it hard this first week as I am getting to know everyone because they all know english!!!! Very cool but also eye opening about English and its globalization!
6. San Sebastián is
so untouched (Positive connotation!)
This city is not very well known to Americans. Most Americans who hear Spain immediately think Barcelona or Madrid, or Seville. Those are the places that the entire world is going. While they are amazing spots that I too
Universidad De Deusto - San Sebastiánplan to see, that is where the crime, theft, and dangers occur. I am happy to be here because it is untouched in that there are not many people trying to steal your things, and even that there aren't many americas and tourists. It is
so authentic and its definitely booming. I foresee it becoming a hotter tourist spot in these next few decades!!!
Today concluded my 1st week of the 2 week Intensive Spanish program, (Spanish class for 4 hours every day) We had a placement test on Monday after the general welcome and I tested into a good and higher level class luckily. My teacher is very nice but has a very thick accent, hard to understand. But that was expected. Its a good challenge for me. The school is very small with just above 1k students. It is so cute. It feels kind of like a high school. The walk to school is very pretty as well. I walk across a beautiful bridge and along the river and up a hill around the corner. Next week is when I get my Deusto ID and I register for semester long classes. More students will arrive
Entrance to Deustothen. The students here now are so nice and outgoing. Everyone wants to be friends! The other night I had dinner with two friends from
Palestine ! They are very nice and speak very good english. Everyone is very open to going out and just talking or exploring. We have a group message going that I am an admin for and every time I come across a Erasmus student I always try to include them in the group for pintxos, drinks, and more! I am having a wonderful time and cannot wait to show my family this city when they visit! All of the hours and paperwork that went into planning this have definitely been worth it, because this has already been so amazing!
Mucho Amor,
Natalie 😊
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UNK mike
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glorious
Hey Nat, Looks like your having a good time. Hope you learn the language fluently. Make sure to go to Barcelona and see all the architecture and museums.. xx