9/8/2022
Helooooo everyone!
I am currently in Spain and I wanted to update you about what I have been up to here. Recently, I decided to go ahead and jump the gun to study abroad in Spain. Through my university, there is this opportunity to take a health track course. In this course, you are able to take medical Spanish, a biology class where they take you inside a hospital in Spain, all while learning Spanish. I thought this would be a unique opportunity to travel to Europe for the first time while learning about the healthcare field in Spain.
A few differences that I have noticed...
Resting is real here during the hours 3-6 people are generally relaxing
You will do a LOT of walking on average I used to do about 8,000 steps now I am doing 18,000 steps/day
The city is walkable, people prefer to walk than take a car
Compared to the average United States citizen, they are more eco-conscious
They don't really have AC
They stay out really late at night, even if they have children (you can often see parents with their children out past 11 pm)
Washer machines are tiny, and they wash clothes every day and hang them to dry (no dryer)
Despite smoking being very common, people live longer here
People tend to be less stressed out
Everyone meets outside the house
The water is safe to drink from the tap
They don't have water bottle refillers (rare to come by)
It's cheaper to get a beer/wine than water
The food quality seems better
People are not afraid of walking alone at night
Honestly, it's been quite an adjustment for me. I am excited to see what is in store, but I am also excited to go back home. *Generalization incoming* Unfortunately, people from the USA have a bad reputation in Spain and many of them do not like associating with people from the USA. I have talked to a handful of Spaniards, and they have all mentioned this.
