Our students are traveling and studying Spanish language and culture with Señor Guerenabarrena for three weeks in and around the beautiful city of Salamanca, Spain!
In addition to attending classes, which are conducted entirely in Spanish, students participate in guided excursions to Madrid, Segovia, Avila and daily cultural immersion activities such as movie nights, dancing, cooking classes, and an evening of Tapas. Students submit journal entries detailing their experiences in the historical city. Soren Jarabelo '19 provided the first entries. Please check back for an update on their travels once the program comes to an end!
July 7, 2018
We arrived in Madrid at around 7 AM tired but excited after a 7 hour flight. After getting our bags and getting onto the bus, we headed straight to the heart of Madrid at the Kilometro 0 (0 kilometers) located at the Puerta Del kilometro 0. It is the starting point of all roads here in Spain. After that, we went to the famous Plaza Mayor, where we walked around and observed the many people selling coins and money from around the world. We then headed towards the Museo Del Prado, and on the way we observed the many beautiful buildings, and looked at traditional goods through the windows of the stores. Upon arrival to the Museum we encountered the Congressional Meeting house here in Spain. I thought it looked a lot like the Supreme Court building in Washington D.C. Inside the museum we saw painting as such as La Gallina Ciega by Goya, El Greco, and the favorite of our group, Las Meninas by Velazquez. Across the street from the museum was El Parque del Retiro. We walked around in the hot sun, and watched a concert of Madrid's Municipal orchestra.
Afterwards we headed straight to our bus service and took the three hour drive to Salamanca. When we got to Salamanca we were immediately introduced to our host families, and they greeted us with the traditional beso, or a kiss on the left and right cheek which is how they greet each other here in Spain. We were all taken to our homes to get settled. It was a special day for all of Spain, as they were up against Russia in the World Cup. We all gathered at Salamanca's massive and beautiful Plaza Mayor (under the clock which is now our meeting point for everything) and went around town and stopped by cafes to have a snack or meal and enjoy the game.
Jul
y 8, 2018
Today we had our first day of classes which began at 9:10. The campus is walking distance from all of our houses, and when we arrived to the building we were split into our classes. Our teachers all spoke only Spanish, even when asking the definition of a word they define it in Spanish, and reviewed the uses of Ser and Estar. After classes we went back to our homes for a delicious home cooked lunch and at 4 pm gathered under the clock in Plaza Mayor for a conversation class, again only in Spanish. Here we conversed with Señor and others in the group about sights and things to do in Salamanca while sitting in front of the beautiful Casa de Conchas, which is a library, behind us was the huge University of Salamanca which we learned was one of the oldest in Europe and the first in Spain. After the class we split off to explore and enjoy more of the city.
Check back soon for more updates from Salamanca!