Mosaic

Issue date: 10/5/06 Section: Opinion

Media Credit: Brianna Carter Tara Ciccketti, Brianna Carter, and Julie Laconte in Seville.

Early wake up call. Airplane. Family. Friends. Tears. Good-bye. Unknown faces. Wonder. Welcome to Seville. It's the beginning of a new semester...but this one is like no other. I am studying abroad in Seville, Spain. I have been preparing for months, but I didn't realize how much preparation I would really need. Living in an environment where everything is foreign is hard, but you must try to make the most of it. Adjusting to the lifestyle in Seville is a bit of a challenge, but I am starting to get used to it. The first weekend was all about orientation and moving into our new homes. Everyone participating in the study abroad program arrived in Seville on Thursday, Sept. 1, and the next day we took a trip to El Monasterio de La Rábida and La Playa de Mazagón. At the monastery, we learned some history of Spain, and at the beach everyone got to get acquainted and learn about each other. That afternoon, we returned to the hotel that we stayed in the previous night to get our luggage and prepared to move into our homes. The following Monday, we all started classes, my first not being until 12:40 p.m. After my first class, I returned to my house for lunch around 2:30, which is also the start of siesta. Each day, Monday through Saturday, the stores close at around 2 p.m. to 5 or 5:30 p.m., in order for the workers to eat and take a nap if they would like. At 5:30 I have my second class of the day, which is unusual for me because I am used to getting my classes done by early afternoon. It doesn't really bother me, though, because there isn't much to do during the week, so having classes late in the day helps the day go by more quickly. Now I am going into my third week in Seville, and I have experienced so much. I try my best to speak Spanish as much as possible, especially when my friends and I go out at night. There are a lot of study abroad programs in Seville, so everywhere we go, we see American students. I'm finding new ways to keep myself occupied everyday...go on walks, read books, study (everyone's favorite thing to do!!!), or just sit outside and write. I still have a while here in Seville and even though I miss home...all my family and friends...I plan to make the most of it.

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