Greenheart Travel

Author: Rachael Maloney

A New Sense of the World Gained from a Year of Studying Abroad in Spain

Arriving home from a year of studying in Spain felt strangely normal. I think it will take time to process this experience and truly realize how much it has impacted me. I learned so much and experienced things I never would have thought I would experience; as much as things, it was feelings and self growth in ways I never knew would or could happen.

Connected Forever

It was a year full of trying new things and adapting to a new normal. I made friends that are now like family and have a host family that became like my real family. This just goes to say, it was not just a year of my life, but an experience that will last a lifetime. As long as I maintain my friendships, I will always have these connections.

Practicing Spanish at Home

I’m kind of happy that I still find Spanish words slipping out while I’m speaking. My biggest goal right now is to not forget my Spanish. I have plans to get a job in this local restaurant that has native Spanish-speaking workers, and volunteer with a group of elementary school students who come from Spanish-speaking countries and are still learning English. Any opportunity to practice Spanish, I’ll take it! And having a job will help me go back sooner.

Overcoming the Hard Times Abroad

Living abroad and being an exchange student pushes a lot of limits, and overcoming the hard times is what made this experience so valuable. I was living with a host family and had people to support me, but in some ways I was alone. I was an ocean away from all familiarity, and it was my job to deal with it.

Every Difference Takes a Toll

Going into this experience I knew I had to give it my all, but everything is way easier said than done. One of the main things I had to deal with was eating. The eating schedule was so different, and what we were actually eating was very different.

At my home in Asheville, North Carolina, I eat really healthy and we always have local fruits and vegetables. In my host family, we did eat fruits and vegetables. But, definitely a lot less than I was used to. It may sound like just a small thing, but every difference takes a toll, or at least is something to get used to.

Life is Different Now

I got home from Spain and then had four days to recuperate before I started working at this sleep-away camp I’ve been going to for seven years now.

Camp has always been my home away from home, but in some ways I still don’t feel like my Spain trip is over because I haven’t truly been “home” yet. I think once I get ‘home’ and school starts, the reverse culture shock will kick in. But, life is different now.

A New Sense of the World

As I’ve said many times, going to Spain for 10 months, living with an amazing family and learning more than I could imagine was a completely life-changing experience.

I gained a new sense of the world and gained so much knowledge. It is something that will be a part of me… Always. And I can’t wait to go back. Travel is fun, but now I have a destination because I have people I love, and who love me, and they live a world away. But, in a life we now share.

A life-changing experience awaits you in Spain!

July 20, 2017
Finishing My High School Year in Spain: A Once in a Lifetime Adventure

Deciding to study abroad in Spain was one of the best decisions I have ever made in my life. Prior to arriving in Madrid on September 13th, 2016, I really had no idea what to expect and what I was getting myself into. I had thoughts and ideas, but there was no way to know what it would be like until I was actually living the experience. The fact that I have lived this experience, and I am getting ready to head home is unbelievable. Where did the time go?

In some ways I am ready to be home, but I can’t even describe how much I will miss Spain and everything this experience has offered me. I have a life here filled with friends and a family that I feel like I’ve known forever. This is going to be the hardest goodbye of my life, but I know I will come back.

To reflect back on these past nine months, here are a few of my favorite memories, special moments, and amazing people I have met along the way:

Meet My Host Family

My host family members are the kindest and most caring people! I feel so thankful to have been welcomed into this amazing family. We have had so many great moments it’s hard to choose a favorite, but I think one of my favorite ones is the day we went to a very Asheville-like town. That’s us in the picture standing in front of a waterfall surrounded by mountains. For me, it doesn’t get homier than that!

Meet My Second Family

My host sister and our two best friends have become a little family. We all made a promise that next summer we are going to meet up. They have already started saving to come visit me in the States! I feel like I have known these people forever, it’s crazy to think I met them just nine months ago. I have met so many amazing people this year! I don’t know how I am going to say goodbye.

Meet My Class

In my opinion, my class is the best class in the entirety of Extremadura! Cuarto A! In Spain, we have all of our classes with the same people each day, so we all know each other pretty well which makes school fun. I sure will miss these people and all of the laughs we’ve shared.

Meet My Community: Villanueva de la Serena

Here in Villanueva de la Serena, the sky is always perfect. The sunset, the sunrise, even the clouds always seem to look extra special. It’s like a piece of artwork everyday up there in the sky. Even after a giant thunderstorm, the sky was perfect – rainbow and all!

An Eye-Opening Experience

It was such an eye opening experience to have so many different cultures (and languages) collide back in November when a group of German students came to my town. Even though we were all from different places around the world, we still talked about the same things and had a lot of the same interests. This just goes to show we are all on this earth together. Although we all have our differences, there are a lot of similarities.

Host Family Memories

My host family has a beach house right on the border of Portugal. Paradise, right? I got so lucky! I sure will miss those family vacations and all of the new places we have explored together. Good thing we are headed out to the beach this weekend, one last time before I go back home!

Having a host sister may be one of the BEST things this whole exchange student experience has to offer. Over these past nine months we have shared so many laughs, made countless memories, and actually have become sisters! We share clothes, we argue, we wrestle, it’s tough love. She’s coming to the States this summer to visit my family which is so exciting! It will also make my departure from Spain a little easier because I know I’ll have a piece of Spain coming.

No hay mejor amiga que una hermana y no hay mejor hermana que tu.

Time Flies When You’re Having Fun

When I arrived in September the thought of leaving was so far from my mind. I had an entire nine months ahead of me, and I can’t believe those nine months are already almost over. I guess they really do mean it when they say time flies when you’re having fun.

A Once in a Lifetime Adventure

This past year has been the hardest, yet best of my life. When I pause and think back about my time here, and all that I have learned and experienced and done, I feel nothing but gratitude. I have been welcomed into the world’s best host family, and I have made friends that are now like family. I have been offered incredible experiences, and I have achieved personal goals I never thought I could accomplish.

My biggest piece of advice I have for anyone thinking about studying abroad is you have to remember this is a once in a lifetime experience, and you should give it your all and truly enjoy every moment because your home will always be there, but your time abroad won’t.

Do you want to have your own once-in-a-lifetime adventure in Spain?

June 26, 2017
How to Prepare for Being a Student in a Spanish High School

High school in Spain is very different from the United States. Students have the responsibility of learning the information on their own. Of course, the teacher instructs and is there for questions and to provide the information, but the students are responsible for taking that information and learning it.

Study Time

Rather than having a lot of homework and school projects, we have exams. Students are expected to study a lot which was really hard for me at the beginning because I didn’t understand the language, and I wasn’t used to studying so extensively.

High school here is taken very seriously. How you do in high school determines what universities you can or cannot get into. Here in Spain, public universities are free or at a very low cost. But, you can only get into the public universities if you have good grades, so everyone works really hard to accomplish that.

Louise with some friends at her school.

School Schedule

The school schedule is also different. We have six classes a day, two in the morning and a break, then two more and a break, and then two more before we go home. We have a different schedule each day, which I really like because it changes things up.

As an exchange student learning in a different language, school has been really hard for me. But, it has also been a really good way to learn the language, and a great life experience to have. Most of my teachers understand that I’m going to have difficulties in class and work with me so I’m not totally lost. But, sometimes there are expectations that I can’t live up to, and that can be difficult.

A schoolyard in Spain.

Here are a fews tips to succeed in the classroom when studying abroad in Spain:

1. Take a dictionary to school.

Taking a dictionary to school really helped me at first. I came to Spain with two years of Spanish classes, which was a good start to have, but could never have prepared me enough for actually hearing the way people speak. They say Extremadura has one of the heaviest accents in Spain, which made it even harder at first to understand what people were saying to me. But, having a dictionary really helped me out.

Learning a new language is a long process and takes time, even after eight months I can’t say I know everything. I have so much more to learn, and I won’t go home completely fluent, but I will go home knowing the language mas o menos.

2. Ask questions.

Asking questions is key because it shows the teacher you’re interested. Plus, how will you learn if you don’t ask? For the most part, my teachers have been 100% willing to help me out. At the beginning of the year, my language arts teacher gave me Spanish worksheets instead of whatever we were doing in class as a way to help me learn the language.

3. Translate the material.

Translate the material, not only will it help you learn the language, but it will give you a deeper understanding of the material so you can actually pass the exams. For me, I’ve found that exams here are a lot about memorizing material word-for-word. So, if I translate it, I can have a better chance of remembering what I have to write.

4. Attend after-school lessons.

Don’t be afraid to go to after school classes. I’ve been going to after school tutoring lessons with my host-sister, and they’ve been so helpful. It’s hard to get all of the information you need just by listening to the teacher. Going to the tutoring lessons has helped me SO MUCH because it’s more one-on-one. They aren’t too expensive and usually they will help you with more than one school subject.

Louise Plever in a classroom with fellow students.

Go with an Open Mind

My advice is to go in with an open mind and be ready to face the challenge. This is a learning experience and a chance to push yourself to your limits. I was so nervous my first few days of school, but everyone was very kind and accepting. I have learned more than I ever thought I could over these past eight months inside and outside of school. I have also met some absolutely amazing people! If you want to study abroad, and feel you’re up for the challenge, don’t hold back! Do it!

What’s holding you back? Contact us to study abroad!

June 2, 2017
Celebrating Easter in Spain: A Culture Shock of Sorts

Semana Santa, Easter, is one of the most celebrated weeks here in Spain. It’s a very religious week for most people to mourn the death of Jesus Christ. Celebrations fill the streets with ancient, beautiful traditions and history. I’m glad I got to celebrate Easter while studying abroad in Spain. It was a very eye-opening experience!

Palm Sunday Traditions

The first day of Semana Santa is el Domingo de Ramos, or Palm Sunday. On the morning of el Domingo de Ramos, those who want to go to Church to celebrate the day when Jesus was welcomed into Jerusalem by people putting palm leaves on the ground in front of him. Here in Spain, when going into church you either carry a palm branch or an olive branch that is later blessed by the priest. Usually, the girls have a decorated branch.

Good Friday Customs

On el Viernes Santo or Good Friday, meat is not eaten by those who practice Christianity seriously. Usually restaurants will serve fish or vegetables as their specials for the day. My host grandmother makes a traditional Semana Santa food called Moje de bacalao that is fried fish and vegetables soaked in a vinegar and orange broth. I am glad I tried it, but I had to agree with my host siblings that as delicious as it looked, it wasn’t the best tasting thing I’d ever had. On Easter Sunday, lots of meat is eaten, especially lamb.

Lobster served on Good Friday in Sevilla, Spain.

This is a picture of lobsters from a restaurant we went to on Good Friday. The special meal of the day was fresh lobsters.

Easter Celebrations

The main Semana Santa tradition, that as an American scared me at first, are the processions. The processions take place in the streets throughout all of Spain. It’s a way to show the story of how Jesus Christ died.

Heavy, ornate parade float for Easter in Spain.

These giant, HUGE, and super heavy floats, pasos, are carried by men called Los Costaleros on their neck and shoulders. There is a cloth hanging down from the float so you can’t see los costaleros carrying it. The floats are so heavy that the men carrying them have to practice for months before Semana Santa to make sure their rhythm and speed lines up. They also have to wear a cushioned hat/neck pad called a costal to protect themselves from the weight of the float.

The floats are often gold or silver and have candles and flowers on them. There are usually at least two floats in each procession, one with the Virgin (there are different Virgins in each town) and one with Jesus Christ.

Vintage posters of an Easter parade in Sevilla, Spain.

Semana Santa Processions: A Cultural Shock

There are two other main parts of the processions, the marching band and los nazarenos. Los nazarenos wear a full body veil that covers the face called an antifaz and cone cap called a capirote. Both are strikingly similar to the outfit that members of the KKK in the USA wear. It really freaked me out because I thought they were somehow related to the KKK, and seeing everyone support and enjoy it was really scary.

They wear these costumes to cover their faces so they can remain anonymous and concentrate on praying in a peaceful way. Los nazarenos either carry a wooden cross or a long candle. Usually the little kids watching the procession will collect the melting wax from the candles and make giant wax balls. People explained to me that it’s a joyful thing and not related to the KKK whatsoever. In fact, the KKK supposedly copied the costume from these processions.

Most people I spoke with didn’t even know the KKK was a thing, or why I was freaked out, which was super weird because they just don’t have the same history.

A Semana Santa parade procession in Spain.

This is the procession in my town. As you can see, there are different colored outfits in each procession.

I took this video of a procession we saw in Huelva. As you can see, they are carrying the float of Jesus Christ.

Things Aren’t Always as They Seem

Semana Santa was a learning experience for me, along with a little bit of culture shock. I was floored to see the cone cap and veil portrayed as a good thing and something the people here considered to be beautiful. Because for me it’s an outfit related to horror and evil. Things aren’t always as they seem, in this giant world of ours. I am so happy to have experienced this holiday and all of its traditions in the typical Spanish way, right alongside Spaniards.

There is so much to learn and so much to experience here on this crazy journey in a new culture. Having an open mind and attitude is the key!

Do you want to experience holidays in Spain alongside locals, too?

April 30, 2017
Experiencing Life in Spain with Your 5 Senses

Living and studying abroad in Spain is about taking in your new surroundings and noticing things with all your senses. It’s about letting the beauty of new sink into you. Slow down, look around, and let yourself notice things, you just might be surprised!

Taste/ Gusto

When you think of Spain and their wonderful cuisine, what pops into your head? If you thought of bread, jamon, tortilla de patatas, or colacao… You just might be from Spain!

If you’re in Spain, jamon is a must! You can’t get jamon like this anywhere else, and lots of families here have a cured pig’s leg in the kitchen where they slice their own fresh jamon. My host family doesn’t have one, but most of my friends do.

Equally as popular is and eaten at every meal is bread. It’s not a complete meal without it! In fact, it’s kind of a must, my host mom doesn’t like it if we don’t eat bread.

Colacao, however, is very typical Spanish but I don’t drink it because I don’t like milk. It’s like hot chocolate but not as chocolaty and very milky.

Last but never least, tortilla de patata, the most typical Spanish food out there. We eat it for dinner or cut it up and put it in a bocadillo (sandwich) for school. Sometimes my mom will make it with spinach or asparagus inside. It’s super easy and really yummy!

Smell/ Olfato

When walking the streets of Villanueva de la Serena, my dear home away from home, or really any Spanish town, especially Sevilla, you are bound to smell oranges. There are orange trees everywhere! I’m basically in heaven, I love fruit, especially tropical fruit!

We constantly have oranges in the house and my host mom makes us fresh squeezed orange juice all the time. What more could one want in life??

Sight/ Vista

One of my very favorite parts of being in Spain is watching the sunset every night. We stay out late enough each night that I get to see it everyday, and everyday it’s perfect. It’s like a piece of art painted in the sky.

Some nights it’s orange, others purple, others pink, and it never fails to amaze me! It’s my little piece of beauty I can count on each day.

Hearing/ Oido

There are a lot of things to hear here in Spain. One might think the most noticeable thing would be hearing Spanish, but I’ve gotten used to that. The noise I wake up to, go to school with, and also go to sleep with is birds.The park in front of my house is home to a ridiculous amount of birds.

There are so many of them that it’s like a wall of noise. I’ve never heard so many birds at once. It’s pretty noise, but it’s constantly there. There are also a lot of pet birds here, and I got to hold one!

Touch/ Tacto

Louise with a friend in Spain.

In Spain, you greet everyone with dos besos (a kiss on each cheek) every time you see them. Usually boys with other boys just do a handshake. It is something to get used to because back in the States we aren’t as affectionate with everyone, but I like this tradition because it’s a way of acknowledging everyone you’re with.

About the Author:

Louise Plever is 15 years old and lives in Asheville, North Carolina. Her goal during her study abroad program in Spain is “to become fluent in Spanish and make friends that will last a lifetime.” Follow Louise’s adventure in Spain on her blog post updates throughout the year.

Where have you traveled that have inspired all your senses? Share them in the comments below!

April 17, 2017
Photo Essay: The Story of My Life in Spain

“Every positive change in life begins with a clear, unequivocal decision that you are either going to do something or stop doing something” -unknown

For my eighth blog post, I decided to make a photo essay with the highlights of my study abroad program so far. These pictures are some of my favorite memories and funny moments from Spain. Each picture has its own story behind it. They go in order from when I first arrived up until now. Bienvenidos a España!

This photo was taken on the steps of the Spanish Embassy on the day that I applied for my student visa. I remember having so many butterflies in my stomach; I was so excited for the adventure that was to come.

September 13th, 2016

This is the group of American exchange students studying abroad in Spain. During our three day orientation in Madrid, we visited museums, toured parks and restaurants, and we all became a little family. Since this photo was taken, we have all bonded and changed together through this incredible experience of studying abroad.

September 15th, 2016

This is a picture of the sunset taken from the bus on the way to meet our host families. All of us Americans were still together on the bus because our host families are all in the same province, Badajoz Extremadura. We were all so nervous it was ridiculous.

There were two bus stops. We arrive at the first one, Don Benito. All of the Americans getting off here got up, got their bags, and we all said our goodbyes, lots and lots of goodbyes. They ended up standing at the door of the bus until we realized that none of the other locals had gotten up and were looking at us like we were crazy. Turns out we weren’t actually at the bus stop, we were at a rest stop for the bus driver. Classic tourists.

September 17th, 2016

My first weekend in Spain. It was my host sister’s birthday so we went to Burger King for dinner with all of her friends. I think it’s hilarious that going to Burger King and McDonald’s is the thing here, because I’ve always thought of that as such a typical American thing to do. I was totally surprised at how different hanging out is here. Usually the entire friend group gets together and rarely hangs out in a house. We also go out much later (9pm to around 1am) because in the afternoon there’s sports or classes.

September 29th, 2016

I was out enjoying a boiling hot September day in Spain, when I came across what I thought was a lime tree. A lime tree! I got so excited because I would never find a lime tree back where I live. Of course, I had to pick one and then try it… It tasted weird but I just thought that was because it wasn’t ripe enough. Well. Months go by and those lime trees start turning into orange trees… That lime was just a really, really, really unripe orange. Once again, classic tourist, or maybe not so classic. I probably should have known that there are a lot of orange trees in Spain.

October 8th, 2016

Turning 16 in Spain is something I will remember forever. We went to Madrid for a surprise birthday party for an uncle, but because we are in Spain, the party lasted until way past 12am, so we started to celebrate my birthday as well.

Looking back to turning 16 feels like ages ago, and yet it was only 4 months ago. Time flies when you’re having fun.

November 6th, 2016

We went asparagus picking! I had no idea that asparagus grows on a bush. It’s a small bush that’s low to the ground and looks like your normal everyday bush, but there’s actually asparagus underneath the prickly branches. As I am not an asparagus expert, it was news to me that there are two different types of asparagus. You learn something new everyday.

November 13th, 2016

Supermoon! Super luna! My Spanish teacher took us up to a village on the side of a mountain to get a good view of the supermoon. It was incredible!

November 27th, 2016

A group of German students came to my town for a week. One of the girls stayed with my host family. It was an eye opening experience to be living abroad with two other girls my age, from totally different backgrounds, especially during the election.

December 22nd, 2016

I got a package from my parents! We heard the doorbell ring so my host mom opened the door, and there it was! She said, Louise your package is here and it wasn’t taken by customs!! Super exciting early Christmas. It had some things I wished I had brought and gifts for my host family and friends.

December 24th, 2016

I ran a Christmas day race with my friends. Well, not exactly run, but we sure did make our way through the race!

December 31st, 2016

New Years had arrived and the famous 12 grapes tradition rang true!! You eat one grape for each month, with only seconds between each grape. In all honesty it’s quite the choking hazard, especially because the grapes had seeds.

After the grapes were done we went to a party with all of our friends, and pretty much all of the kids living in Villanueva. It lasted until 6am so we spent new year’s day sleeping.

January 15th, 2017

We were on a family outing, driving out in the country when we came across this castle. We just happened to stumble across this beautiful ancient castle, it doesn’t get more European than that.

February 2017

Here we are in February. How is that even possible?! In these past 5 months I have learned so much, I have made so many friends, I have faced challenges that have honestly changed me as a person, and I have grown up in ways I didn’t know were possible.

I started this experience alone in some ways. I had no familiarity and it was on me to get through that and to find and make some. That may have been the most alone I’ve ever felt in my life. My life was an ocean away. It’s getting over feelings like that, that have truly made me grow up as a person. I have a second home here in Villanueva de la Serena, and I couldn’t be happier about it.

“Today you are you, that is truer than true, there is no one alive who is youer than you!”- Doctor Suess

Louise Plever is 15 years old and lives in Asheville, North Carolina. Her goal during her study abroad program in Spain is “to become fluent in Spanish and make friends that will last a lifetime.” Follow Louise’s adventure in Spain on her blog post updates throughout the year.

Picture Yourself Studying in Spain?

February 28, 2017
Reflections from Halfway Through My Time in Spain

I have now officially been living in Spain for a little over four months. It’s crazy how fast the time has gone, how much I have learned, and how much I have grown as a person. Before I arrived, I thought a lot about what I wanted to get out of this experience. One of the things I wanted was to be able to dream in Spanish. I can now cross that off my list because I do that all the time!

Thoughts Before Arrival in Spain

Looking back on before I arrived and was still in the USA, I truly couldn’t have known what I was getting ready to do. I had ideas, but there was no way to know what the reality of studying abroad in Spain would actually be like. I was going to live with complete strangers, who later turned into a second family.

What I did know was that I wanted to become fluent in Spanish, and that that wouldn’t happen just by taking classes. I needed to immerse myself in the language. I also knew I needed to get out into the world and get a new perspective. Culture shock is real, but it does go away. The first week I cried myself to sleep each night, and thought I wouldn’t be able to stay until June. But, I also knew in the back of my mind that if I left, I would regret it.

Louise looking out a window in Spain.

Thoughts After Half a Year Abroad

I can’t lie. Being away from my family and friends is hard, and there are some days where the fact that I am an outsider really gets to me. But, I also know that I will return home, and that there are always going to be hard days no matter if I am in Spain or back in Asheville. Life is life and being an exchange student is so incredibly amazing that the good and the great out do the bad by a million times. For now I am here to get everything I possibly can from this wonderful adventure, and to be here and in the moment while I still am.

As much as I’ve changed, I am still me. I am at this halfway point with everything. I have a family here and I also have one in the United States. I have a different style and taste of clothes than locals here, but also some of the same. I can do the ‘j’ pronunciation, but rolling my ‘r’ is still hard. As it says in my profile, my goals for studying abroad are to become fluent in Spanish and to make friends that will last a lifetime. And I have indeed made so many friends that will last a lifetime. It’s crazy to think that there was a time that I didn’t know them!

This first half of my year abroad was mostly about understanding the language and getting used to the culture. I can now understand everything, and have adapted well. But, speaking is still a little hard. I can speak, but not as well as I’d like to. Some of my goals going into the second half of this adventure are to be able to speak better, have a higher level of Spanish, and to continue learning, growing, and discovering what this world has to offer.

Louise Plever is 15 years old and lives in Asheville, North Carolina. Her goal during her study abroad program in Spain is “to become fluent in Spanish and make friends that will last a lifetime.” Follow Louise’s adventure in Spain on her blog post updates throughout the year.

Are you ready to discover what life has to offer you while studying abroad?

February 2, 2017
Recipes from Abroad: How to Make a Spanish Omelette
Being an exchange student is one of the most exciting things that exists. You get the opportunity to experience the world with new people who have different ideas and perspectives. It’s a chance to learn things you could never have possibly imagined you would learn, and try things you could never have possibly imagined you would try. Studying abroad is about getting out there, breaking your comfort zone, and trying new things.

During your time abroad, you will probably be eating lots of new foods and trying things you’ve never had before. While living and studying in Spain, I have had the chance to try the local cuisine. The basic, most typical Spanish food, aside from jamon, is tortilla de patatas, a Spanish omelette. Luckily, now you don’t have to wait until your next trip abroad to experience this Spanish staple.

Check out Louise’s cooking tutorial and recipe below!

The recipe differs from family to family based on your likes, but the following recipe is what my host family uses:
1. You will need 2 onions, 2 potatoes, and 4 eggs (cut the onions into little pieces and the potatoes into thin slices).
2. Heat up a pan with a little bit of olive oil in it and add the onions and potatoes.
3. While the onions and potatoes are cooking, crack the four eggs into a bowl and mix them.
4. Once the onions are cooked and the potatoes are soft, you will add them into the bowl with the eggs. Add a pinch of salt.
5. Mix it all together, and pour them into a new circular pan (the shape of the tortilla is important).
6. Put a lid over the pan and let it sit for a few minutes.
7. You will now need a plate because you have to flip the the tortilla over to let the other side cook, it’s a risky maneuver.
8. Once the tortilla is safely flipped and both sides are cooked thoroughly, it is ready to be enjoyed.
Louise Plever is 15 years old and lives in Asheville, North Carolina. Her goal during her study abroad program in Spain is “to become fluent in Spanish and make friends that will last a lifetime.” Follow Louise’s adventure in Spain on her blog post updates throughout the year.

Do you have any favorite recipes inspired by your travels? Share them below!
January 25, 2017
Celebrating Old and New Holiday Traditions While Studying in Spain

Being abroad in Spain during the holidays has been a really good thing. Holiday season always brings family together, which has made me bond even more with my host family and with all of the cousins and grandparents and aunts and uncles. I feel like I’m so much a part of this family that the different traditions and changes simply feel like normal everyday life. Of course, I think about my family at home, and of course I miss them. But, I’m here to immerse myself in this culture, learn their way of life, and experience everything I can while studying abroad.

The first month or two had moments of sadness. But, I’ve now fully adapted and I feel so at home that I’m just living a normal life. There will still be sad days, but that’s just part of life. Being with my wonderful host family makes any small hard moment seem so insignificant.

My host family is playing Secret Santa (Amigo Invisible). I got my host sister… Shh don’t tell!! Here in Spain, the activity differs from family to family. But, in my host family we do gifts for everyone in January for Three Kings Day, and on Christmas only for your secret Santa.

The Christmas spirit is definitely here! The streets have big snowflakes, swirling lights, and a huge Christmas tree of lights in the center.

It’s so cool to see the differences and similarities. All of my friends here have been asking me to tell them all about Christmas in the States, and they are so surprised when I describe something that is different from the movies.

On Christmas Eve or Noche Buena, there is going to be a huge party with my host sister and all of our friends in the local that goes until around 6am.

On Nochevieja, New Years Eve, there is also a huge party that goes even later. There is a tradition that at 12am we have to eat 12 grapes. One for each month. I’ve been warned to be careful because apparently people have choked on the grapes due to eating them so fast…

I am so excited to be here in Spain and experience the holidays in a different way than I am used to. My host family has never celebrated Hanukkah, which I do at home, so we are going to exchange some of our holiday traditions. I’ll show them about the menorah and lighting the candles each night. I can’t wait to see what they are going to show me!

Living here in Spain feels so totally normal now, and the people I have met have become so significant to me that it’s crazy to even think that three months ago I didn’t even know them. This holiday season is one I will remember forever. Felices fiestas!

Louise Plever is 15 years old and lives in Asheville, North Carolina. Her goal during her study abroad program in Spain is “to become fluent in Spanish and make friends that will last a lifetime.” Follow Louise’s adventure in Spain on her blog post updates throughout the year.

Want to celebrate new traditions while studying abroad?

December 29, 2016
Communicating Through Different Cultures and Languages in Spain

A group of German students came to my town for an exchange through my high school in Spain last week. One of the girls stayed with my host family, too. We called our house the international hotel. It was amazing! We toured Merida and Cáceres together with all of the German students, and each night we hung out in the “local.”

You may ask how did we communicate? The German students were staying with Spaniards who are in the bilingual program to learn English, so we all spoke in English because that was the only language we had in common.

“Living with two other people from completely different backgrounds, leading completely different lifestyles was amazing and eye opening. It’s an experience with great importance, especially at this point in time.”

Check out our video to get a glimpse into how we overcame our language barriers:

Featured in the video are Lina Färber from Germany, Maria Benitez from Spain, and Louise Plever from the USA.

Louise Plever is 15 years old and lives in Asheville, North Carolina. Her goal during her study abroad program in Spain is “to become fluent in Spanish and make friends that will last a lifetime.” Follow Louise’s adventure in Spain on her blog post updates throughout the year.

Are you ready for a cross-cultural and language experience of your own?

December 27, 2016