Grover: MLO3
Major Learning Outcome #3- Literary and Cultural Knowledge
The most critical contributor to my success in literary and cultural knowledge was the study abroad experience
itself. Living immersed in an unfamiliar culture for a year forces one to understand components of culture
progressively throughout the year. Firstly, I came to notice the disturbances and uncomfortable differences of life
in Spain. Over time, I was able to realize that these were major differences between what I was accustomed to
and what was normal. I grew to understand these differences and spent much time thinking about them and
contemplating their existence. Finally, I came to understand that these aspects of life were the very reason I
went abroad. These experiences, difficulties, feelings of discomfort and awkwardness, and learning experiences
were simply my own development of cultural understanding. By the end of the year, these very components of
life were what made me want to stay in Granada, and what made me terribly sad upon my departure.
In addition to simply being abroad and living in a foreign country, I also took a Spanish Literature course in
Granada. This was the first time in my life that I read, from beginning to end, a book in Spanish. The first book
was a great novel by Miguel de Unamuno called San Manuel Bueno, Martir. The book was very enjoyable
because it covered philosophical themes such as existentialism and morality. It is known as one of the great
Spanish literary works of the 20th century. I also read La Casa de Bernarda Alba, which is a great story but was
not particularly my favorite. The course also focused heavily on some of the great poems of that era, and we
spent a large portion of the class analyzing these works. Through these readings, I was able to develop an
understanding of the literary themes, styles, and concepts of Spanish literature in the 20th century.
El Patum
Los Jovenes
The most critical contributor to my success in literary and cultural knowledge was the study abroad experience
itself. Living immersed in an unfamiliar culture for a year forces one to understand components of culture
progressively throughout the year. Firstly, I came to notice the disturbances and uncomfortable differences of life
in Spain. Over time, I was able to realize that these were major differences between what I was accustomed to
and what was normal. I grew to understand these differences and spent much time thinking about them and
contemplating their existence. Finally, I came to understand that these aspects of life were the very reason I
went abroad. These experiences, difficulties, feelings of discomfort and awkwardness, and learning experiences
were simply my own development of cultural understanding. By the end of the year, these very components of
life were what made me want to stay in Granada, and what made me terribly sad upon my departure.
In addition to simply being abroad and living in a foreign country, I also took a Spanish Literature course in
Granada. This was the first time in my life that I read, from beginning to end, a book in Spanish. The first book
was a great novel by Miguel de Unamuno called San Manuel Bueno, Martir. The book was very enjoyable
because it covered philosophical themes such as existentialism and morality. It is known as one of the great
Spanish literary works of the 20th century. I also read La Casa de Bernarda Alba, which is a great story but was
not particularly my favorite. The course also focused heavily on some of the great poems of that era, and we
spent a large portion of the class analyzing these works. Through these readings, I was able to develop an
understanding of the literary themes, styles, and concepts of Spanish literature in the 20th century.
El Patum
Los Jovenes
