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Josh C. - Reflection #1
Mar 04 2023
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Pl. Nueva
Mar 04 2023

On my first day in Spain, when I met my host mom, Clara, I expressed how excited I was for the trip. I told her all the things on the itinerary, all the historic sites and cultural experiences you have read about on this very blog. The enthusiasm I had for my time in Spain, even when spoken in Spanish, was palpable; it might have seemed that I thought by the end of this trip I would be an expert in the culture of Andalusia, playing Flamenco guitar like Paco de Lucía and knowing every variety of cold soup. Clara didn’t hesitate, “dos semanas es muy corto.” While I knew what she meant, I balked at this assertion a little bit internally. To me, two weeks felt like a long time. Now, having just packed my suitcase, I really know what she meant.

Me, my host brother Gonzalo, and his cousin on my first full day in Spain

My host family (minus dad) on our final day

 

We have experienced so many new things in these two weeks. One element that struck me especially is the history. In the US, and especially in Seattle, our recorded and preserved history is very recent. We had a collective sense of awe while walking through palaces, mosques, cathedrals, and streets with countless stories extending countless years. It is hard to find words to describe the beauty of these places and the gratitude I have for these experiences in English, let alone a second language.

 

12 Lions fountain at La Alhambra in Granada

La Giralda, arguably Seville’s most famous landmark

I am especially thankful for my host family. You need to let your guard down and generally be warm to let a kid you have never met and barely spoken to stay in your house, eat your food—live your life. My host family welcomed me with open arms and taught me so many new words (a lot of cognados). The language immersion element truly does work. While my Spanish, and that of most students on this trip, is not perfect, my speaking has improved extremely visibly in just two weeks. This growth is driven by getting outside of your comfort zone, lingually. Do Ireally know how to discuss the nuances of government corruption in Spanish? Do I really know how to describe chords on the Ukulele in Spanish? I don’t, but I am sure as heck going to try... and now I know. We are all returning to Seattle with deeper cultural knowledge, new language abilities, and a wealth of memories. Muchas Gracias!! 

A newspaper article from 100 years ago I think?

One of Seville’s classic narrow streets

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