This week things have calmed down and classes have started. My school (Universitat Autonoma de Barcelona) has two campuses in the city, both of which are about a 30 minute commute for me. Because it is the first week professors haven't really dived into the content, but that hasn't stopped me from learning. So far everything I've learned about being Spanish has come through random observations.
Lesson 1: Americans are naturally loud
Every time you leave the country or talk about differences between Europe and the U.S. this point is always brought up. But, I thought they meant we yell a lot and get a little rambunctious in groups. While this is true, Americans are loud in general. I noticed this in class one day. In one of my classes we went around the room and introduced ourselves. As we went around I realized that the Americans in the class we considerably louder than the Europeans; even me. In America I always believed myself to be quiet, but this is not so in Europe. I'm loud and, for a few seconds, thought my volume was even a little obnoxious.
Lesson 2: America really is fast paced
As I solidify my route to school I've started to realize that I probably look like a crazy speed walker. I am constantly weaving in out and of people when I change trains and probably look like I am on a serious mission. Which, technically speaking, I am. I want to get to wherever it is I am going as quickly as possible. The local Spaniards well get there eventually. I think this is comparable to the driving differences of Illinoisans and Sconnies. Sconnies always appear to be going slow aka the speed limit, while Illinoisans fly by at ridiculous speeds. So I've learned to slow down a little bit and take my time to get places.
Lesson 3: Classes/Education are taken seriously
In the U.S. professors, or at least mine, tended to be a little more lax about eating in class, showing up a few minutes late, and attire. This is not so in Spain. So far the only similarity is that day 1 is always syllabus day. In Spain food is not allowed in class, hats and sweats cannot be worn and you will get locked out if you are late to class. Thus far multiple professors have told the class that if you know you are going to be late, don't bother coming. Absences are also taken very seriously. In any language classe you must be present for 80% of the classes in order to take the final. Finally, no one has to buy books! One professor stated that we already pay enough for education and, because it is so important, there is no need to add to that cost. Finding out that I don't have to buy books may be the best part of the week. Hooray for saving money!
That's all of my learning for the time being. Tomorrow (Sept. 11) is the National Day of Catalonia so I don't have class tomorrow and there are never classes on Friday. Woo-hoo 4 day weekend! But I will certainly partake in and observe the various events that occur. I've been told that there will be demonstrations and I certainly don't want to miss that!
No comments:
Post a Comment