The Beginning of my Study Abroad Journey in Spain
Hola and welcome to my study abroad blog! I have officially survived one full week in Spain. Prior to my arrival, I anticipated major culture shock, had a few safety concerns, and my anxiety of the unknown overpowered all feelings of excitement. But once I arrived, I fell in love with this country!
My first stop was in Madrid for a field study tour with my study abroad program. Once I left the airport, I noticed an unusual difference in the cars driving around the city. The cars were all foreign and more compact compared to vehicles in the U.S. I also noticed the city was very diverse, with all kinds of people. On the way to my hotel, I stared in awe at the tall and beautiful sky scrapers. The scenery reminded me of Chicago and New York, and I immediately felt a sense of belonging! Below is a photo of Puerta Del Sol, one of the most popular areas in Madrid.
The historical architecture in Spain is amazing! I also learned so much about Spanish history during my tour of the city. While in Madrid, I went on a few field trips to different historical cities such as Toledo and Segovia. In Toledo, I toured the Cathedral. It took over 250 years to build and is home to lovely works of art. I also toured the Synagogue of Santa Barbara. I’ve developed true appreciation for the religious culture of the city.
Segovia was my favorite city to visit. My favorite part was taking a tour of the castle, Alcázar de Segovia, which inspired Disneyland’s Sleeping Beauty Castle. The view from the castle was absolutely amazing! During my visit, I witnessed a very important monument called the Segovia Aqueduct, built 2,000 years ago by the Romans. The Segovia Aqueduct is a major symbol of Segovia.
Learning about the history in different regions of Spain and visiting museums has been my favorite part of the trip so far!
My journey in Spain has just begun! Next week’s blog will consist of my adaptation to the culture of Alicante, which is where I will be studying for my program!
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Gracias y hasta luego!