Week One

I cannot believe that it has already been a week since I arrived in Spain! Time has been flying by; I feel like I’ve only been here for just a few days. Classes started on Monday, and luckily registration hasn’t closed because there were a couple that I didn’t really like, but the coordinators for the program are very nice and help us with any problem and I’m getting my class schedule sorted out. It’s been a little difficult because the way the classes are set up here is different from the way they are set up in the US, of course; however, I think I am up to the challenge. I’ve been getting to know my fellow Chippewas better as well as getting to know a few local students.

Now for the fun part you all have been waiting for: more pictures!!! The other night when Dolo and her friends and I walked around the city, they took me to a neighborhood called Santa Cruz, which is located on the mountain that also contains the castle called Castillo Santa Bárbara and since it’s on the mountain, it offers a lot of great views of the castle, the city and the Mediterranean Sea. Well, unfortunately I forgot my camera, plus it was dark out anyways, so I went back the other day to take some pictures; I hope you enjoy!

Since it's on a mountain, I had to walk up a lot of stairs in Santa Cruz

Castillo Santa Bárbara

Mediterranean Sea and part of the city (the blue dome belongs to the Cathedral)

A view of the city with the mountains in the background

Pinch Me, I'm Dreaming

I still have a hard time believing that all of this is real, but I really am in Spain! I arrived on Wednesday (the 22^nd) after a very long day of traveling. Patricia and Dr. Calvo, two of the program coordinators, picked me up at the airport and drove me to my home for the next few months. Dolo, my host mom, is extremely nice and she has been very patient with me as I try to figure my way through the city and when I do not know a word in Spanish. Thursday was a very lazy day; I slept for nearly 12 hours Wednesday night, which is crazy for me because I normally only get about 7 or 8, but I was extremely tired. Dolo was a work so I mostly just read until I started to get a little bored so I went for a walk through the part of the city I already knew and eventually made my way to the Explanada de España (or the Promenade of Spain), a beautiful walkway next to the Mediterranean sea. 

Friday we had orientation with the two coordinators and the director, Dr. Belda; they are all very amicable and exceedingly helpful. After they took care of explaining all of the basics to us, we met with some of Dr. Calvo’s Spanish students and they showed us around campus. The campus seems really large, but that’s probably because I do not know it very well yet, but I know where my classes are and I know where the library is, so that is a good start.

Saturday was also a day of rest for me I basically just read for a long time until it was late enough to call my parents. Dolo invited some of her friends over for lunch (which in Spain is usually around 2pm); they were all very interested in the United States and Michigan and I was happy to supply them with some information. After most of them left, two of her oldest friends from the village where she grew up went out with Dolo and me for another tour of the city; we had a really good time.

Classes start today and I am super nervous, but excited at the same time!!

A view of Chicago during take off.

A view of Alicante during landing

La Explanada de España

Javier, me, Raquel & Dolo (my host mom)