Luong: MLO5
I studied abroad in Granada, Spain through the CSU International Programs from 2010-2011. The requirement I had to fulfill prior to studying in Spain was to complete four semesters of the Spanish language. I think the influence of studying abroad came from my older brother. He had studied abroad in China and had an incredible year there. I saw what an amazing experience he went through; creating relationships people around the world, traveling, and learning about our family’s history, I felt interested me in studying abroad.
I was very excited and scared at the same time. This was my first time being away from family and being surrounded by an unfamiliar culture, but I wanted to take this opportunity to learn to be on my own.
I didn’t feel any sense of culture shock during the first few days in Madrid, Spain. It felt more like being in an unfamiliar place. We were in Madrid for an orientation before we headed to Granada, my target city. They were speaking incredibly fast and I wasn’t used to hearing their accent. I was still able to understand some words here and there. It was very interesting watching the everyday lives of Spaniards and seeing a café shop at every corner of the block. Everyone was walking instead of driving and people were driving vespas. Otherwise, Madrid is a very populated and developed city with its modern buildings and wide streets, which is why I didn’t feel much of a culture shock. Although there were quite a few things I noticed that were very Spanish, it almost felt like I didn’t leave America.
Once I arrived in Granada, I felt like I was finally in Spain. The European architecture and the cobblestones on the ground gave me the feeling of being in Europe. I remember the first time I had the most difficulty understanding Spanish was when I was talking to the director of my program. She had a very thick accent from Granada. Of all the places I’ve visited in Spain, Granada has the most distinct accent. After living there for a while, taking classes in Spanish and communicating with the Granada natives, I was able to understand my director perfectly. After one month, I realized that her accent was really not bad at all compared to the Spaniards at the bars or in the supermarket. I was a great feeling knowing that I was able to adapt to understanding her Spanish compared to the first time I met her.
Throughout the year, I have traveled all over Spain, learning a little bit about each province and exploring what aspects of that province that separates them from the other provinces. It took me at least 3 months to finally get accustomed to living in Spain. By then, I had a daily routine of going to the same supermarkets, going to the same frutería where the owner remembers me, giving directions to tourists and rendezvous with friends at local café shops. I have to say that my Spanish has improved greatly by living in Spain for 1 year. I have learned so much about the country and about myself in this unforgettable journey.
I was very excited and scared at the same time. This was my first time being away from family and being surrounded by an unfamiliar culture, but I wanted to take this opportunity to learn to be on my own.
I didn’t feel any sense of culture shock during the first few days in Madrid, Spain. It felt more like being in an unfamiliar place. We were in Madrid for an orientation before we headed to Granada, my target city. They were speaking incredibly fast and I wasn’t used to hearing their accent. I was still able to understand some words here and there. It was very interesting watching the everyday lives of Spaniards and seeing a café shop at every corner of the block. Everyone was walking instead of driving and people were driving vespas. Otherwise, Madrid is a very populated and developed city with its modern buildings and wide streets, which is why I didn’t feel much of a culture shock. Although there were quite a few things I noticed that were very Spanish, it almost felt like I didn’t leave America.
Once I arrived in Granada, I felt like I was finally in Spain. The European architecture and the cobblestones on the ground gave me the feeling of being in Europe. I remember the first time I had the most difficulty understanding Spanish was when I was talking to the director of my program. She had a very thick accent from Granada. Of all the places I’ve visited in Spain, Granada has the most distinct accent. After living there for a while, taking classes in Spanish and communicating with the Granada natives, I was able to understand my director perfectly. After one month, I realized that her accent was really not bad at all compared to the Spaniards at the bars or in the supermarket. I was a great feeling knowing that I was able to adapt to understanding her Spanish compared to the first time I met her.
Throughout the year, I have traveled all over Spain, learning a little bit about each province and exploring what aspects of that province that separates them from the other provinces. It took me at least 3 months to finally get accustomed to living in Spain. By then, I had a daily routine of going to the same supermarkets, going to the same frutería where the owner remembers me, giving directions to tourists and rendezvous with friends at local café shops. I have to say that my Spanish has improved greatly by living in Spain for 1 year. I have learned so much about the country and about myself in this unforgettable journey.