Catherine is a UConn student currently spending the semester abroad in the city of Granada, Spain. While abroad, she is taking classes, particpating in cultural activities, and traveling around Europe. For more information on UConn’s study abroad programs check out: http://abroad.uconn.edu/
What is your favorite part about being abroad so far?
My favorite part has got to be the experience as a whole – it’s not one thing I love, but everything. Just waking up and seeing Spain outside my window every day reminds me how lucky I am to be here! I love learning the language so much, and I also love being in Europe. Countries are so close together, and I’m going to get in a lot of traveling before I leave!
What made you choose Granada?
All throughout high school, I knew I wanted to study abroad – and the funny part is, I was convinced that I didn’t want to study abroad in Spain! I thought having to deal with a different language would be too hard, so I looked into England and Australia. Eventually though, I realized how great of an opportunity it was to be able to study Spanish, and that’s how I ended up here!
What is the style like there?
At school, I wear my favorite UConn sweatshirts (I’ve collected quite a few!) everywhere. In Spain though, it doesn’t quite work that way! What they say about European style is true – people dress much classier here, and you’ll rarely, if ever, see anyone in sweatpants. Whether they’re going to get coffee, or shopping, or to the grocery store, Spainards always look put together.
Catherine in Ronda, Spain.
What is the food like?
Most of the food isn’t too different from home. I’m living with a Spanish family, and my señora makes me a lot of pastas, soups, and salads. Certain foods are unique to Spain – I love tortilla española, an thick egg omelette cooked with potatoes and onions, and potaje de lentejas, a soup of vegetables and lentil beans! The mealtimes here are honestly the most different part of eating. I eat a light breakfast, a huge lunch at around 3, and don’t eat dinner until around 9! It took some getting used to at the beginning, but now I’m completely used to it.
Describe the culture in one word.
Relaxed. The pace of life is so much slower here, and it’s nice to take a break from my normally busy UConn semesters! Naptime is literally built into the day – it’s called siesta, and occurs from around 2-5. People never seem to be in a rush, whether they’re walking down the street or sitting down for a meal.
What type of courses are you taking?
Because this is a UConn program, all of our classes are already pre-approved by Study Abroad for us to receive UConn credit. At the beginning of the semester, we got to choose what we wanted to take from a list of five classes: Spanish Literature, Spanish Art History, Spanish Politics, Islamic Culture, and Spanish Grammar, along with a mandatory culture class. I’m taking the easy route and only taking Literature, Art History, and Grammar!
What is your major at UCONN?
Biological Sciences and English double major
What year are you?
Sophomore