Bienvenidos a mi Portafolio
Claire Polak
Study Abroad
My study abroad experience in Sevilla, Spain drastically impacted the way I view the world. Before studying abroad, I was expecting a fun experience of meeting new people and improving my language skills, but I didn’t realize how much I would grow as a person and build lasting relationships while immersing myself in a whole new culture. I stayed with a host family who did not know any English, and I interned at a Spanish travel agency where my coworkers only communicated in Spanish as well. This level of immersion truly helped me to improve my communication skills in Spanish and pushed me out of my comfort zone.
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I grew academically through my time taking classes in Spain. The classes were taught completely in Spanish and allowed us to learn about specific aspects of culture in Sevilla. Not only did we have lectures in the classroom, but we also had assignments that involved us exploring the city and participating in certain traditions such as Flamenco dancing and cooking traditional Sevillano dishes. In addition to taking classes, I also completed a Marketing internship for Senderismo Sevilla Viajes. I got to experience the different culture of the workplace through my time here. Work schedules are much more flexible, and we got to take a siesta each day. It took some time to adjust to taking a break in the middle of the day, but I grew to appreciate the built in rest.
During this internship I created graphics promoting hikes and helped update and improve the website while communicating with my bosses and clients in Spanish. My favorite part of this internship was when I attended a hike with the company. This was the turning point in my language immersion because I found myself able to communicate with the people attending the hike for a full 2 hour van ride each way and have in-depth conversations on the cultural differences between Spain and the United States such as the drastically different healthcare system. I also got to talk with people from all over Spain during the hike and take pictures that were used to promote Caminito del Rey in the future.
Living in Sevilla in the Spring offered me the opportunity to experience two traditions that are essential to the culture of Sevilla. The first was Semana Santa which celebrates the week leading up to Easter. There are parades throughout all the streets that end at the cathedral with elaborate structures that represent different religious elements. The next big tradition was Feria which is a week-long celebration where different families and organizations set up “casetas”, or large tents, and dance to flamenco music. Seeing the town come alive for these festivals was an experience that doesn’t exist to the same level in the United States, and seeing it opened my eyes to the beauty of ancient traditions and celebrations around the world.
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Another aspect about the sevillano culture that I learned to love was the significance of meals in Sevilla. Meals are viewed as sacred times to share food, drinks, and excellent conversation with each other. The traditional tapas bars have tables where you stand up while enjoying your food. In addition, people order a large amount of "tapas" or small plates to the table for everyone to share and enjoy. This social aspect of eating is valued very highly in their culture, and it is very common to meet someone in this social environment. The verb "tapeo" means sharing good conversation and food, and this definitely embodies the Spanish spirit of standing and conversing while sharing food.
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The way the Spanish people view the concept of family is very different in the United States. My host mom lived across the hall from her mom, and all but one of her kids lived in the same building as her. Because most Spanish people live at home through college, our host mom was very surprised that I went to college out of state. Family meal times were very important as well. When I am in the United States, meals are often very rushed and in between obligations. However, in Spain, meal times are sacred, and our host mom would always sit at the table with us and have conversations about our days. The idea of "to go" food is not nearly as prevalent as it is in the United States. While it is common to walk as you eat or eat during class in the United States, this can actually be considered rude in Spain. Our professors advised us to eat in between class if we were hungry and not to drink anything other than water in class. I enjoyed having the sociable meals because they allowed me to slow down and relax when my days got busy.
Learning to adapt to a completely different culture while communicating in my second language proposed challenges, but ultimately provided me with valuable experiences for which I am very thankful. While it could get frustrating when trying to communicate with my host mom, she had patience and we would act out words when we could not figure out what the other was saying. Eventually I became proficient in communicating in Spanish and adapted to the cultural differences. I enjoyed walking most places and the kindness that strangers showed me in the streets. When I would get lost, people would always help me find my way. Ultimately, I grew to love the culture in Spain and the language and hope to return in the near future to continue my learning experience.
