Vivo en Salamanca!

The above picture is the Plaza Mayor at night, the heart of Salamanca.

Finally I've Arrived in Salamanca! We came from Madrid by bus and moved into our apartments on the 20^th. It has been non stop since the whole program started in Madrid and people are still making adjustments. Before moving in we've been told to prepare for small living spaces and a lack of common conveniences we often overlook in the U.S. Inconveniences such as limited plug outlets in odd places, no clothes dryer, small bathrooms and rooms, and limited hot water are often adjustments that the Spaniards and most Europeans are used to. We were told that most of Europe envies such U.S. conveniences. Upon moving in my 5 roommates and I were surprised to find that the apartment was very spread out, included two full bathrooms, a small outdoor patio, and consistent hot water... so far. I felt pretty lucky after talking to other students who said their hot water was limited, or limited to certain daytime hours. Our apartment isn't ideal missing a dryer and stove, but you can't have it all I guess. What most of us students quickly discovered is the lack of available wireless internet and our attachment to it. The convenience of available internet at home is quickly becoming more valuable to us. Here we have to lug around our laptops to an internet cafe, pay for internet, buy a drink to use it, or compete for the free computer lab at school. Being away from home makes the internet especially necessary to get in touch with family. As of now I managed to get to school early enough to use the computer lab and get online. I just did my first load of laundry last night and have to find the time to walk home and hang dry all of it! It can be a little difficult to schedule out days here. But now that most of us have cell phones and know our way around we can go by our own schedule and meet up throughout the day.
Yesterday was the first day of classes for me beginning with my sociology class and ending with Spanish III. Spanish was a little intimidating for my level. The teacher spoke no English and only explained a few things when asked. I struggled a bit to understand her. I do wish I practiced more Spanish and hope I do not fall behind. But the upside is that everyday here is like a Spanish lab. I always have the opportunity to practice my Spanish. Yesterday at the market, kind of like a farmers market, we were buying fruits and the lady next to us started talking to us. We introduced ourselves and talked for a little. I was surprised at how much I was able to understand and that I was able to tell her a little about myself. My Spanish does not roll off my tongue fluidly as I am talking to people. I hope that I will be able to build my conversation skills through Spanish class.

The city of Salamanca is beautiful, its an old sandstone town. Some of the buildings are written on with the blood of bulls from bullfights of the old times. The Plaza Mayor is the center of the town. Everyone seems to run into someone they know. It is a very social culture here. People enjoy being out on the town. On Monday we have a tapas tour scheduled so we can get more accustomed to traditions here. I will share more, and more pictures to follow soon! Hasta pronto! Ciao.

Here is a video from the AIFS group that I am studying abroad with

Estoy En Madrid!

Been here for three days now, I arrived Wednesday the 17th in Madrid. I feel I have everything I need so far, but I could have practiced my Spanish more! People here are very friendly about helping you out as long as you try to communicate with them. Packing light is definitely a good idea as I found out upon arriving in Madrid. I took the metro to my hotel where I discovered it was a hassle dragging it up stairs. Access to elevators is limited in the metro stations. Good thing I only had three bags with me, which I still struggled with. Other than lugging baggage around the metro, it is a very easy to use system to get anywhere in the city. What does not come so easy is adjusting to the time here. The time zone here in Madrid is 9 hours ahead of California. Yikes! It's my third night here and I am still not adjusted. They say it takes at least a week for your body to fully adjust to the time change. I find myself waking up at 4 in the morning and crashing in the afternoon around 3pm. The time change also makes it difficult to get over a cold. I was unfortunate to get sick before I left, and am still getting over the cold. Luckily there are plenty of pharmacies here with many similar medicines at home. I also made sure to pack plenty of dayquil and cough drops. Since I have been in Madrid I've spent time walking to the local plaza's, taking the metro around, and I also got to visit the estudio de santiago bernabeu, home of the great Real Madrid futbol!

Today I met with the rest of my study abroad group. Everyone is jetlagged and tired. I'm surprised that many of them still want to go out tonight even after such a long flight. I hope that with this cold I will be feeling up to going out. Earlier we had tapas and our first experience with an impatient waiter. I guess we were taking too long and they wanted us to free up the table. When we asked for a moment to pay our waiter replied sarcastically "take until tomorrow why don't you". But the tapas were still great. Tomorrow we will be visiting the Prado museum, Palace in Madrid, and we will be moving into our apartments in Salamanca by the evening. Hopefully I'll get a good nights rest for tomorrow. I look forward to moving into Salamanca. I will write in the next week. Hasta Luego!

Voy a Espana! 5 days till departure

Hola me llamo Christina. I am a student originally from Folsom Lake College studying abroad this semester. Through this blog I am sharing my experiences living abroad as an international student in Salamanca Spain. During my stay I will share the things I've learned from the culture here. I hope this helps to encourage anyone considering study abroad!

Like many community college students, I am a transfer student. After this semester abroad I will be transferring to UC San Diego this fall. The opportunity to study abroad with a community college has allowed me to stay on track for transferring. I have always wanted to study abroad, especially as my interest and major is in International Studies. I am excited and curious to explore what I can learn from other cultures while abroad. I am seeking to gain an understanding of Spanish culture. I hope to develop my Spanish skills while living in Spain, and eventually become fluent. I have Spanish experience from two courses in high school and two semesters at FLC. I feel comfortable enough to get around using basic, beginning Spanish. Though I am a little hesitant to use my Spanish, I know that I will only learn in taking risks. Hopefully by the end of the semester I will have learned enough to have higher level Spanish conversations.

This will be my first time living away from home. I am very excited but also a little anxious to be sure I can handle living in another culture, being very far away from home, going where I know no one, all while trying to balance fun and grades with a full time student schedule. I've especially been concerned about staying in touch with family and friends. I think I will be fine, but I know it won't be easy! I won't have a problem enjoying what Spanish culture has to offer. This past week has been extremely stressful getting things together. I just started packing last night so I have the next few days to make sure everything is in order. If it weren't for my list of things to do, I would be all over the place trying to get things done. The more prepared I am, the less stressful things will be. Once I arrive in Spain I think, and I hope some of this stress will go away. There is no doubt I am excited and can't wait to get to Spain! All the hard work preparing will definitely pay off.

Departure date: Tuesday Feb 16th! Departure in 5 days!




The Plaza Mayor in Salamanca, Espana at night