Life as a Student in Salamanca

¡Hola de Salamanca! Estoy practicando español todos los días. ¡Espero que cuando regreso a los Estados Unidos pueda hablar español con fluidez!

I love Salamanca! It is a rather small city and not too touristy. I enjoy being able to walk everywhere. Also, the city is full of students! Over 40,000 students study in the city.

La Universidad de Salamanca

The University of Salamanca was founded in 1218, making it the fourth oldest university in the world.

I am currently taking three courses through the Cursos Internacionales department of the university: Intermediate Spanish Language, Spanish Culture, and Spanish Conversation Skills.

How crazy is it that I get to take classes at a school that is over 800 years old!

There have been eleven canonized saints who either attended or taught at the university, and even more in the process of beatification. Two of the most notable alumni are St. John of the Cross and St. Teresa of Avila (who received an honorary doctorate from the university). I’m hoping to be added to that list one day.

There are over 4000 foreign students in the university’s international courses program. In my conversation class, I am the only student from the United States. Sometimes after class, I get coffee with three girls, one from Taiwan, one from the Netherlands, and one from Ireland. I can't say I've ever done that in Alabama!

With such an extensive history, there are many traditions and legends surrounding the university.

One such legend promises that students who can find the frog (rana) in the sculpted facade of the old university building will pass all their exams.

Guess who found the frog?

Me!

I guess that means I don’t need to study and can spend my time enjoying everything Spain has to offer.

Can you find the frog? (hint: it's sitting on a skull)

The Golden City

Salamanca is known as Spain’s Golden City, and the title couldn’t be more fitting.

All the buildings, new and old, in the historic city center are made of sandstone. Golden hour is my favorite time here when the sun slants across the buildings and illuminates everything with a warm glow. The architecture is beautiful as well!

My other favorite sight in Salamanca is Plaza Mayor at nighttime. As soon as it gets dark enough, all the lights in the plaza turn on. Plaza Mayor is always bustling with activity and a great place to people watch.

Speaking Spanish

Since coming here I’ve had what I consider to be two major milestones in speaking Spanish.

First, I bought a SIM card for my phone completely in Spanish.

Second, I got my haircut in Spanish. It was definitely nerve-wracking, but I escaped with most of my hair and a cute new hairstyle for only $18!

The Spanish Way of Life

By living in a homestay with a Spanish family I am experiencing the Spanish way of life firsthand.

My homestay family doesn't speak any English! I am actually glad that this is the case because it means I have to practice my Spanish.

Family is very important in Spain, something that I love about the culture. Nearly every day we eat lunch and dinner together. I wish we did that in the US too!

The biggest culture shock for me has been adjusting to the daily schedule of the Spaniards.

They generally eat breakfast around 8-8:30 a.m.

The largest meal of the day is lunch, which they eat around 2-3 p.m. After that, it's time for a brief siesta. Don’t be fooled; most Spaniards don’t actually sleep during siesta time, but rather do household chores and maybe watch a TV show.

Despite being known for their siestas, studies have shown that 39% of the population has poor sleep quality on a daily basis. It is also very unusual to carry a water bottle with you during the day. Thus, I’ve concluded that Spaniards are perpetually sleep-deprived and dehydrated.

After siesta I generally do something with my friends around the city.

Dinner is not until at least 9 p.m.

The Reality of Life Abroad

I will admit that adjusting to a different culture and life with a Spanish family has had its ups and downs. There have been times when I’ve felt uncomfortable and out of place.

One Sunday when I was missing home, I went to take a walk through the city. As I was walking, I heard a loud commotion and the sounds of a marching band.

Lo and behold it was a huge procession for St. Teresa of Avila (Avila is only about 65 miles from here).

There was a beautiful statue of the saint atop a large platform with flowers escorted by altar servers, priests, religious, flag bearers, a band, and the faithful. Such an awesome surprise!

St. Teresa, pray for us!

Experiences like this are little reassurances from God that I am right where I am supposed to be.

One of my biggest blessings since coming to Spain has been making several fast friends in my study abroad program. Here we are in Toledo (from left to right: Katelyn, me, Sarah, Josh, and Anastasia).

¡Hasta la proxima vez! ¡Adios!