First week of classes are done

I learned a few interesting things about the way classes in Spain work.

1. "Syllabus day" does not exist. You can almost always expect to read through the syllabus really quick so the teacher can get as much learning into Day 1 as possible.

2. The time the class is supposed to finish (ex: 7 pm) will actually finish ten minutes early every single class. I thought it was a coincidence the first couple of times it happened until one of my professors explained it is a regular thing to get out early every day.

My professors are all easy going and understanding. They recognize the language barrier and for the most part are conscientious that we do not fully understand everything. They constantly ask if we need clarification on anything which is comforting.

Fortunately my program is small. We have eight participants in the Madrid program through Albany therefore all of my classes consist of anywhere from four to six students including me.

Another unexpected aspect of the Instituto Internacional (the building I take my classes in) are the other university programs from colleges in America. SUNY Albany shares the 3rd floor with Boston University while Syracuse University occupies the entire second floor. We have a cozy library, a small cafeteria and a beautiful garden to sit and spend time in between classes.

I've begun to plan out my weekend trips which I believe I will begin taking next weekend! Stay tuned for much more to come as I will not be spending all my time in the lovely country of Spain. Hast luego.

Los días primeros

Despite the first few hours the struggles have been little to non-existent. On Friday I wet shopping with my housemates for some basic essentials and finished the day by enjoying the night life with the rest of the students in the Madrid program.

Then on Saturday I had the experience of a lifetime when I traveled to Segovia. The program organized a free (eh, kinda) trip for the day as a welcome experience - and what an experience it was!

If you look at my pictures on Facebook they don't even do the town and the architecture justice. All of the buildings are so similar and they give the town a unification that I've only ever seen in movies. But at the same time all of the buildings are different in a unique way as you get closer.

The reality is, Spain (and many other European countries for that matter) have a history that can only be dreamed about in the United States. These towns, villages, churches and architectural feats were accomplished thousands of years before anyone knew of "The New World." As a result, small towns in Spain have a uniqueness to them that can only be fully grasped through personal experience and adventure.

El Catedral (the main church in Segovia) is the most amazing thing I have ever seen. The outside is absolutely beautiful, but the real history and wonder is inside. Unfortunately, no one is allowed to take pictures/videos inside but I can assure you it was the most breathtaking thing I have ever experienced. The ceilings are endless, the design is immaculate and it's unlike anything I have ever imagined in the largest cathedral I have ever seen.

The streets are slopped upward as you walk into town toward the church and after walking past the church toward the outskirts of town the streets slope downward. That alone shows the true importance and significance the church had in previous centuries.

In addition to the trip, I have realized how quickly the brain can adapt when truly tested. If you put yourself in situations where you have to speak Spanish and if you force yourself to speak Spanish with your American and Spanish friends then the language encompasses your brain. You get to a point where it is so forefront in your mind that it becomes difficult to use English. I have only been here three days and I already find it difficult to text or speak English after long periods of using Spanish.

However, what made me realize how much progress I have already made was when I sat down and began writing this post. Every sentence I try to write my brain is instinctively trying to type in Spanish. I have to physically concentrate on using English as the Spanish is primary in my brain right now after using it all day. I HAVE ONLY BEEN HERE THREE DAYS! I can't even imagine how much more difficult English will become in the coming weeks, but I can assure you I am excited.

Please look at the pictures and videos I have posted to Facebook in the last few days, they are worth your time, I promise.

I am having the absolute experience of a lifetime and every hour is better than the previous!

Thank you so much to everyone who has helped me get to this point. I will try my best to keep the posts in English but in the future it might not be possible.

Qué te vaya bien!

The journey and arrival...El viaje y el atterizaje

The last 24 hours of my life have seen more ups and downs than other day in my life. From nervous about the flight, to uncomfortable on the plane, exhausted from lack of sleep, overwhelmed as a result of cultural and language barriers, to now, happy to be here and finally feeling as though I can survive, it has been a challenge thus far.

The combination of no sleep, travel stress, not understanding your home combined with weird new smells and experiences made the first couple hours in Madrid unlike anything I have experienced. After lunch and my first siesta, however, everything turned around.

We toured the Plaza Mayor and Puerta del Sol while walking around the "kernel of the city" drinking Sangria and eating "the best ham in the world." A couple hours of walking and snacking was followed with another delicious meal. And what better way to be greeted at your new home than to walk in and see the Spanish national team playing basketball on the television. Wow.

Finally, what better way to complete my first day en España than to find a Tapas Bar with my housemates and disfruta la marcha (enjoy the nightlife).

I think I'm gunna like it here...

The Final Days...

With only a couple days left the time finally came to cease all procrastination. It was finally relevant to start packing clothes and, of course, making the last minute shopping trips for anything else I would need for my study abroad experience.

Goodbyes are a weird thing in August/September. Saying "well...see you at Christmas," is usually a sentence uttered at Thanksgiving, not Labor Day. But I've found that goodbyes before a dream-fulfilling European experience are not nearly as tough as I anticipated - at least on my end. I can't say the same for my family.

Wednesday, September 4th is the day my dreams become a reality. I arrive at Madrid-Barajas Airport 10 a.m. local time (4 a.m. EST) on Thursday, September 5th.

My nerves for the unknown have subsided into unbelievable anticipation and excitement for the adventures about to unfold in the next three months.

Stay tuned for a semester "that you wouldn't believe."

"A semester that you wouldn't believe"

In tenth grade I fell in love with Spanish. The language's structure, rules, grammatical quirks and especially the idioms. I promised myself I would not let a study abroad opportunity slip through the cracks in college.

After several months of planning (stressful, stressful planning) my three month, 10 day journey to Madrid with begin in a few quick days.

My fascination with social media has inspired me to write paragraphs, post photos/videos, and share stories and learning experiences right here for all of you to see. It's impossible for me retell everything I experience, even with a blog, but this is too unique an opportunity for me to pass up. My limited internet access coupled with the chance to unplug for a short while may not make this blog the most consistent, but hey, I am trying to learn in Spain too.

Feel free to comment and share this blog with friends, family, and future students. I want this unique experience to be something everyone can enjoy!

"Qué no veas" is an idiomatic expression meaning "that you wouldn't believe." It does not translate literally, but you knew that, it's an idiom.

This semester is a once in a lifetime opportunity. A semester qué no veas.