Great Expectations
I have great hopes for my semester abroad. One of my goals is to use the Spanish language everyday in my professional life. I hope to be able to relate and work with Spanish speaking people. Living and studying in Seville is a perfect way to put myself in the people of Spain's shoes. I am curious and love to see where people come from and how they live. In order to understand, respect and relate to Spanish speaking people, learning about Spanish culture and history will help me understand more about the Spanish traditions and language.
I decided to lower my high expectations; I may not become fluent in Spanish by the end of this semester. And that's alright. I will have a better understanding of the Spanish people, culture and language. I hope to broaden and stretch academically and personally. I am taking new classes for example: Teaching English as a Second Language, Spanish Anthropology,
and a Regional Spanish Folk Dance Class. I also hope to become more independent and confident by my weekend traveling to new countries such as Morocco and Portugal.
I believe in order to appreciate the strengths and weaknesses of a country I must leave behind my old values as I live abroad. I took many things for granted at home in the United States but here I am outside of my comfort zone and what I am used to. I have to be more sensitive and resourceful, I must listen more and pay attention to everything. A beautiful sunrise may go unnoticed in the United States, but in Seville I see all of my surroundings differently as I walk to school and I can't seem to turn my eyes away. I believe this semester will be transformative and full of changes. I learned to enjoy the siesta during the middle of the day. I went to a bullfight to experience it once although it is against everything I believe in relation to animal rights. I have tried lots of new seafood even though I used to be a vegetarian. I see myself changing with new experience everyday and I hope it will help me realize and appreciate the beautiful little things in life like sunrises, family,and traditions. I will experience any and everything that this country has to offer to me by at least trying once, after all this experience is all about change and new experiences.